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The Reference Library is a comprehensive collection of Apple technical resources, including Articles, Guides, Reference, Release Notes, Sample Code, Technical Notes, and Technical Q&As. Each of the links below leads to the resources for a specific topic.

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Assertions and Logging (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use assertions and logging to diagnose problems in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
Atomic Store Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use the Core Data atomic store API to create persistent stores that use a custom format.
Cocoa Guides 2008-02-08
AttachAScript (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how you can extend any Cocoa application by adding some AppleScripts to it.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-27
Attributed Strings Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use attributed strings, which manage attributes of character strings or individual characters.
Cocoa Guides 2007-06-04
Audio Codec Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for configuring audio codecs and for encoding and decoding audio data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Cocoa Reference 2008-07-08
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
AudioBurn (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to create an object conforming to the DRTrackProduction protocol to create a RedBook audio CD.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-03-17
AudioDeviceNotify (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to enumerate audio devices attached to the system and how to handle device notifications
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-04-21
Authorization Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add fine-grained control of privileged operations in an application.
Cocoa Guides 2009-01-06
Automator Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Automator framework not described in individual classes.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-10
Automator Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for creating and working with actions used by the Automator application.
Cocoa Reference 2006-10-26
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Cocoa Guides 2007-12-11
Automator Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Automtor framework.
Cocoa Release Notes 2007-07-25
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Cocoa Release Notes 2007-10-31
AutoSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to run and display Automator workflows in your application.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-05-23
AutoUpdater (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This sample demonstrates Cocoa networking using the NSURL loading classes, NSURLConnection and NSURLDownload.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Availability of Quartz Composer Patches in Web Kit (HTML)
QA1505: Details which Quartz Composer patches are available in Web Kit
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-03-05
Avoiding the -42 error with DiscRecording (HTML)
QA1292: Explains how to workaround the -42 error when using the DiscRecording API.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-05-25
Background-only apps with NSStatusItems become active in 10.1 on NSStatusItem clicks (HTML)
QA1081: Preventing background-only apps from activating when their NSStatusItem(s) are clicked in Mac OS X 10.1.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-10-30
BackgroundExporter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates techniques which can be used to export QuickTime movies in a separate export process.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-07-22
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-11
Binary Data Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create and use Cocoa data objects, object-oriented wrappers for byte buffers.
Cocoa Guides 2009-05-06
Binding your Preferences in Cocoa (HTML)
Learn to use bindings by creating a simple app.
Cocoa Articles 2004-04-26
BindingsJoystick (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates a bindings-enabled subclass of NSView.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
BoingX (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows off using Quartz Extreme to provide borderless OpenGL content on the desktop.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-11-06
Boinx Starts with Sample Code: FotoMagico Is a Powerful Digital Slideshow (HTML)
Starting with Apple sample code, tools and technologies, Boinx wrote FotoMagico in a matter of months.
Cocoa Articles 2007-12-11
BOM characters in 'utxt' clipboard flavor (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1221: Explains the use of the BOM character in 'utxt' scrap data
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-01-20
Bonjour and wake from sleep (HTML)
QA1290: Explains why applications that use Bonjour should stay registered and continue browsing on sleep.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-09-18
Bonjour enforces the service type format in Panther (HTML)
QA1198: Explains why registering a Bonjour service might fail on Panther.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-03-23
Bonjour enforces the TXT record format in Panther (HTML)
QA1306: Explains how mDNSResponder enforces the proper TXT record format in Panther.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-07-14
Bonjour Printer Subtype for HTTP (HTML)
QA1555: Describes how printer vendors can register their bonjour service such that Safari can see them.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2008-03-25
Bonjour TXT record rate limiting in Panther (HTML)
QA1293: Explains how mDNSResponder implements TXT record rate limiting in Panther.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-10-23
Bound Button (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates using Cocoa bindings to bind a button's target and action parameters.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-08
Boxes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa boxes.
Cocoa Guides 2003-02-15
Browsers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa browsers.
Cocoa Guides 2004-08-31
Building Objective-C static libraries with categories (HTML)
QA1490: Describes how to properly build Objective-C static libraries that contain categories on existing classes.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-10-03
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Cocoa Guides 2005-11-09
BundleLoader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to load multiple Cocoa bundles or NSBundles (also known as plug-ins) into the main NSApplication.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-09-21
Button Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa buttons.
Cocoa Guides 2008-10-15
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-10-30
Byte-Order Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation byte-order functions.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving actions initiated by a layer.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing the actions and timing of an animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CAAnimationGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a grouping of multiple animations into a single animation.
Cocoa Reference 2008-03-11
CABasicAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the basic interpolation of a layer property.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAConstraint Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single geometric constraint between two layers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAConstraintLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layout manager that applies a set of constraints to a layer tree.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CalAlarm Class Reference (HTML)
Describes the class used to create and initialize alarms.
Cocoa Reference 2009-03-04
CalAttendee Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to to confirm status and obtain more information about an attendee.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
CALayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a node of animated visual content.
Cocoa Reference 2009-02-04
CALayerEssentials (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the basics of setting up various Core Animation layers
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-09-30
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests to arrange a layout tree.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CalCalendar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get attributes about a calendar.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide access to information about calendar objects associated with a calendar item.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendarStore Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to retrieve calendar objects, including calendars, events and tasks.
Cocoa Reference 2009-04-08
Calendar Store Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Calendar Store framework classes and methods used to access iCal data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iCal data.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
CalEvent Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about an event.
Cocoa Reference 2009-03-04
CallJS (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how to call JavaScripts on a web page in a WebView from Objective-C and vice versa
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-03-09
CallMachOFramework (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows two ways of calling a Mach-O framework from a CFM application on Mac OS X.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-07-17
CalNthWeekDay Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the CalNthWeekDay class that is used to define a weekly repeating pattern of an event.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
CalRecurrenceEnd Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a property of a CalRecurrenceRule that defines how long a recurrence is scheduled to repeat.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-08
CalRecurrenceRule Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to initialize and get recurrence rules and properties.
Cocoa Reference 2009-03-04
CalTask Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about a task.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CAMediaTiming Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for the time behavior of an animation.
Cocoa Reference 2009-03-04
CAMediaTimingFunction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the pacing of an animation as a timing curve.
Cocoa Reference 2008-07-11
CAOpenGLLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that acts as a target for OpenGL commands.
Cocoa Reference 2008-03-11
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for manipulating values of layer properties.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-01-12
CarbonCocoaCoreImageTab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Carbon-based application creates a Cocoa-based web window which used CoreImage filters to transition between tabbed WebViews
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-25
CarbonCocoaTempConverter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Carbon and Cocoa user interfaces in the same Cocoa application.
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-03-10
CarbonInCocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use Carbon GUI code in a Cocoa application.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-03-26
CarbonQuartzComposer_TV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Cocoa based QuartzComposer window into a Carbon based application
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-02
CARenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws a layer to a Core Graphics context.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-30
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that displays a scrollable portion of another layer.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATextLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws text.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
CATiledLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws tiles of content as needed.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATransaction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a batch of Core Animation updates that are applied to a render tree atomically.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-14
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to evaluate trust for a certificate and recover from a trust failure.
Cocoa Guides 2008-11-19
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes services to read and evaluate certificates and to use cryptographic keys.
Cocoa Reference 2008-11-19
CFBundleIdentifier and user application access (HTML)
QA1373: Describes the role of CFBundleIdentifier in limiting a user's application access.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2005-02-08
CFM_MachO_CFM (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
CFM application calls Mach-O routine, passing in a fixed up CFM function pointer as a callback parameter.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-07-17
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Cocoa Guides 2009-05-06
CFXML to CFPropertyListRef (and back!) (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1208: Describes to how save and restore a CFPropertyListRef to and from an XML file.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-08-29
CGBitmapContextCreate Supported Color Spaces (HTML)
QA1037: Lists the color space and alpha info combinations currently supported by CGBitmapContextCreate.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-07-18
CGContext Bounds (HTML)
QA1048: Explains how to determine the bounds of a CGContext.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
CGContextAddLineToPoint, CGContextAddCurveToPoint, et. al. (HTML)
QA1049: Explains why the CGContextAddXYZ APIs don't draw anything immediately.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
CGContextClosePath (HTML)
QA1046: Explains when you should call CGContextClosePath.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-10-02
CGDrawPicture (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to use the QDPictDrawToCGContext API.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14