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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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FBOBunnies (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use framebuffer objects (FBO)
Performance Sample Code 2006-09-18
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Performance Guides 2005-07-07
Fractal Performance (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Three fractal applications that show various bottlenecks and how they can be fixed.
Performance Sample Code 2006-04-17
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
GDB for MacsBug Veterans (HTML)
TN2030: Translate your experience with MacsBug into a working knowledge of the GNU source-level debugger (GDB).
Performance Technical Notes 2001-10-18
GeekGameBoard (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Core Animation for the user interface of a board or card game.
Performance Sample Code 2007-12-19
How can I optimize a Quartz Composer composition depending on the hardware it runs on? (HTML)
QA1433: Explains how to design compositions that adapt to the hardware limitations.
Performance Technical Q&As 2005-06-01
How do I tell if a particular display is being hardware accelerated by Quartz Extreme? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1218: Describes how to use CGDisplayUsesOpenGLAcceleration to see if a display is accelerated or not.
Performance Technical Q&As 2002-12-04
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
Performance Guides 2007-05-17
icon cache demo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the use of an icon cache to limit the search for icon resource to one resource file.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-30
Improving Your Software with Xcode andStatic Code Analysis Techniques (HTML)
Learn about static analysis and get started using it with an Xcode project.
Performance Articles 2006-07-10
Introduction to MPI Distributed Programming on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn how to create tightly coupled, distributed algorithms to run on multiple computers using MPI.
Performance Articles 2005-02-14
Is ColorSync thread safe? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1261: Discusses ColorSync thread-safety issues.
Performance Technical Q&As 2003-04-17
JavaSplashScreen (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Quickly display a splash screen while instantiating the 1.4.x/1.5 JVM from a Cocoa application.
Performance Sample Code 2006-04-12
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance Guides 2006-04-04
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Graphics & Media Overview (HTML)
Describes Leopard's graphics and media capabilities.
Performance Articles 2007-12-11
Mac OS X 10.2 (HTML)
TN2053: Describes software development-related changes provided in system software update Mac OS X 10.2.
Performance Technical Notes 2002-09-04
Mac OS X: v10.1.1 - v10.1.3 (HTML)
TN2043: Describes changes provided by system software updates 10.1.1 through 10.1.3.
Performance Technical Notes 2002-03-06
MapLargeFile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows a technique for mapping files greater than 4GB into memory for faster access.
Performance Sample Code 2003-11-19
MassiveImage (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use a CGDataProvider to save a very large image with Image IO
Performance Sample Code 2007-09-27
Maximizing Mac OS X Application Performance (HTML)
Learn how to achieve better performance on Mac OS X.
Performance Articles 2003-06-23
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
MPDelayUntilTest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Tests and demonstrates the MT/MP MPDelayUntil API.
Performance Sample Code 2003-10-27
MPFileCopy (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to copy a folder and its contents using the HFS Plus APIs from an MP task.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
MPPeriodicalTest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Tests and demonstrates the MT/MP timers.
Performance Sample Code 2003-10-27
MultiprecisionFP (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to utilize the gmp and arprec multiprecision floating point packages on Mac OS X
Performance Sample Code 2007-03-26
NSAssertionHandler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the facility for handling false assertions.
Performance Reference 2007-02-22
NSAutoreleasePool Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface to the deferred-release mechanism in Cocoa's reference-counted memory management system.
Performance Reference 2009-01-02
NSRunLoop Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the object that manages events on a thread.
Performance Reference 2008-02-08
OpenGL Filter Basics Cocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use Objective-C and MVC design patterns in installing and utilizing filters in an OpenGL rendering pipeline
Performance Sample Code 2008-02-06
OpenGL Release Highlights - Mac OS X 10.3 Panther (HTML)
TN2131: Contains a list of bugs along with a short description on a release-by-release basis
Performance Technical Notes 2005-02-04
Optimization Strategies for Mac OS X (HTML)
TN1174: Achieving the best possible performance in your applications.
Performance Technical Notes 1999-09-01
Optimizing for the Power Mac G5 (HTML)
Learn how to optimize your code for the Power Mac G5.
Performance Articles 2003-10-24
Optimizing with Shark: Big Payoff, Small Effort (HTML)
Learn to improve your application's performance by sampling a real application using Shark.
Performance Articles 2004-01-19
Optimizing Your Application with System Trace in Shark 4 (HTML)
See how your code interacts with Mac OS X using the power of Shark.
Performance Articles 2006-01-30
Optimizing Your Applications with Shark 4 (HTML)
Learn how using Shark 4 can help you dramatically improve performance in your application.
Performance Articles 2004-11-08
OTScheduleDeferredTask When Task Running (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
NW52: Describes what happens when you use OTScheduleDefferedTask to schedule a task that is running.
Performance Technical Q&As 1997-10-13
The "packages" node in the device tree (HTML)
HW90: Describes the "packages" node in the Open Firmware device tree.
Performance Technical Q&As 2006-02-22
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
Porting Multithreaded Applications from Win32 to Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn how Mac OS X handles multithreading, before porting your Win32 application.
Performance Articles 2005-06-20
PowerPC Numerics (PDF)
Describes the Mac OS X numerics environment for implementing IEEE standards 754 and C99.
Performance Guides 2004-01-22
Problem with PaintRgn on 256-color Screens (HTML)
Deprecated - QD23: PaintRgn with RGBForeColor and transfer mode addOver doesn't return color to original on 256-color-screens.
Performance Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
PThreadSorts (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Applies various sorting algorithms to pictures using POSIX threads (pthreads) on Mac OS X.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
QDFlushPortBuffer (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QD65: Describes a possible solution for window update problems under Carbon.
Performance Technical Q&As 2000-11-08
Quartz 2D Thread Safety (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1238: Explains the thread-safety issues for the Quartz 2D API.
Performance Technical Q&As 2003-02-25
QuartzCache (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates several caching techniques using CGBitmapContext, CGImageRef re-use, CGLayerRefs, CGImageSource.
Performance Sample Code 2005-06-01
QuartzLines (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Drawing Lines using Quartz's CGPath & CGContextStrokeLineSegments functions.
Performance Sample Code 2005-06-01
Real world profiling with the OpenGL Profiler (HTML)
TN2178: This document describes how to use OpenGL Profiler, a very powerful tool for your OpenGL development.
Performance Technical Notes 2008-09-16
RecordAudioToFile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates recording audio to an AAC file using Core Audio
Performance Sample Code 2007-02-27
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Performance Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Setting environment variables for user processes (HTML)
QA1067: Tells how to set environment variables for user processes.
Performance Technical Q&As 2001-10-25
SharedMemory (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how multiple applications can access the same memory using the Unix shmget system call.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
Shark User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze code performance by profiling the system.
Performance Guides 2008-04-14
SIMD Primer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Introduction to using SIMD/SSE
Performance Sample Code 2008-06-06
Sleep vs. Doze on Mac OS X (HTML)
QA1309: Discusses and demonstrates sleep versus doze detection on Machintosh Mac OS X
Performance Technical Q&As 2003-10-09
Specifiying if the CPU or the GPU should be used for rendering. (HTML)
QA1416: Which processor will be used for rendering in Core Image and how to affect it.
Performance Technical Q&As 2005-08-16
Synchronizing OpenGL rendering updates to the vertical refresh of the display (HTML)
QA1521: How to avoid tearing by synchronizing your rendering to the display VBL
Performance Technical Q&As 2007-07-16
Taking Advantage of the Accelerate Framework (HTML)
Learn how your application can run on PowerPC- or Intel-based Macs without processor-specific customization.
Performance Articles 2005-10-03
Test64BitMultiprec (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implements (PPC) A*Y+B where A & B are arrays of 64-bit words and Y is a 64-bit integer
Performance Sample Code 2006-06-09
Thermal considerations for Mac Pro FB-DIMMs (HTML)
TN2156: Design considerations and specifications for the AMB and Heat spreader for the Mac Pro
Performance Technical Notes 2006-11-10
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Performance Guides 2008-02-08
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Developing 64-bit Applications (HTML)
Learn how Mac OS X Tiger breaks the limitations of 32-bit computing.
Performance Articles 2004-12-20
Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips for writing code that runs on PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macintosh computers.
Performance Guides 2009-02-04
URL CacheInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates resource caching behavior using the Cocoa URL loading system.
Performance Sample Code 2008-06-05
Using Temporary Memory with OpenPicture (HTML)
Deprecated - QD20: Provides several techniques of causing OpenPicture to allocate temporary memory for a picture handle.
Performance Technical Q&As 1996-02-01
Using the 3DMixer Audio Unit (HTML)
TN2112: Discusses how to use Core Audio's 3DMixer version 2.0
Performance Technical Notes 2004-06-14
vDSP Complex Vector Conversion Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that convert complex vectors between interleaved and split forms.
Performance Reference 2007-06-15
vDSP Correlation, Convolution, and Filtering Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for performing correlation, convolution, and filtering operations on real or complex signals.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vDSP Examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
vDSP sample code
Performance Sample Code 2007-05-10
vDSP Matrix Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for matrix arithmetic operations.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vDSP One-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for performing one-dimensional fast Fourier transforms on an input signal.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vDSP Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the vDSP programming interface defined in the Accelerate framework for digital signal processing.
Performance Reference 2008-10-15
vDSP Single-Vector Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
This document describes the C API for performing common routines on a single vector in vDSP.
Performance Reference 2009-01-07
vDSP Two-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Improved function discussions and corrections.
Performance Reference 2008-11-19
vDSP Vector Scalar Arithmetic Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes vDSP functions that perform arithmetic operations combining a scalar with each element of a vector.
Performance Reference 2007-06-15
vDSP Vector-To-Scalar Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that receive a vector as input and compute scalars as output.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vDSP Vector-to-Vector Arithmetic Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that receive a vector as input and return a vector as output.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vecLib Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for vector mathematical functions in the vecLib subframework of the Accelerate framework.
Performance Reference 2009-01-06
vecLib Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the vecLib framework.
Performance Release Notes 2005-06-04
VelEng FFT (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
G4 Velocity Engine implementation of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and associated convolution/correlation routines.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
VelEng Multiprecision (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An implementation of arbitrary precision arithmetic using the PowerPC Velocity-Engine (G4) vector instructions.
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
VelEng Wavelet (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This demonstrates a Velocity Engine (G4) implementation of wavelet processing of color images
Performance Sample Code 2003-01-14
VideoViewer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple example of video rendering using QuickTime visual contexts, OpenGL, Core Video and Core Image.
Performance Sample Code 2005-08-01
vImage Alpha Compositing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high-performance alpha compositing operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Conversion Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image conversion operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Convolution Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image convolution operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Data Types and Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data types and constants used by the vImage framework.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Decompression Filtering Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for decompression filtering operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Geometry Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance geometric operations on images.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Histogram Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image histogram operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Morphology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance morphological operations on images.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the C programming interface for high-speed vector image processing.
Performance Guides 2008-10-15
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Transform Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image transform operations.
Performance Reference 2007-07-12
Xcode Debugging Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode debugging facilities and the recommended debugging techniques.
Performance Guides 2009-01-06
Xgrid Foundation Reference (HTML)
Describes the API for monitoring and controlling Xgrid cluster operations.
Performance Reference 2005-06-04
Xgrid Foundation Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Xgrid Foundation framework.
Performance Release Notes 2007-07-18
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
Performance Guides 2007-10-31
Xgrid: High Performance Computing for the Rest of Us (HTML)
Learn how mathematicians and scientists are making the most of Xgrid's power and easy setup.
Performance Articles 2004-03-29
Xsan 2 Administrator's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Xsan volumes in a storage area network.
Performance Guides 2008-06-09