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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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Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Text & Fonts Reference 2009-05-06
SetFontInfoForSelection incorrect prototype (HTML)
QA1375: Describes the incorrect prototyping of the SetFontInfoForSelection API and gives a workaround.
Text & Fonts Technical Q&As 2004-10-04
Sorting Like the Finder (HTML)
QA1159: Shows how to sort strings like the Finder's list view.
Text & Fonts Technical Q&As 2004-10-27
Spell Checking (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the spell-checking facilities in the Cocoa text system.
Text & Fonts Guides 2004-02-09
String Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create, search, concatenate, and draw strings in Cocoa.
Text & Fonts Guides 2008-10-15
Strings Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create, manipulate, and search strings in Core Foundation, and how strings interact with encodings and character sets.
Text & Fonts Guides 2008-03-11
Supporting Unicode Input (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces international text in Mac OS X and lists the tasks an application needs to perform.
Text & Fonts Guides 2005-07-07
Text Attachment Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Expalins how to add graphics and other attachments to text.
Text & Fonts Guides 2006-12-05
Text Attributes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to work with attributes, the distinguishing characteristics of rich text.
Text & Fonts Guides 2004-02-16
Text Editing Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to control the behavior of the Cocoa text system as it performs text editing.
Text & Fonts Guides 2008-02-08
Text Encoding Conversion Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for transferring text across other platforms or over the Internet.
Text & Fonts Reference 2005-07-07
Text Encoding Conversion Manager Release Notes (HTML)
Text & Fonts Release Notes 2005-04-29
Text Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text fields.
Text & Fonts Guides 2004-02-09
Text Input and Output (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write text files in Cocoa.
Text & Fonts Guides 2004-02-10
Text Input Management (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use input servers, input managers, and text views in Cocoa.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-02-08
Text Input Source Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for operating on text input sources, such as keyboards, character palettes, and ink input.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-07
Text Layout Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how the Cocoa text system lays out text on pages.
Text & Fonts Guides 2008-10-15
Text Services Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for communicating between client applications and provider modules.
Text & Fonts Reference 2005-11-09
Text System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how the Cocoa text system works. Includes a tutorial.
Text & Fonts Guides 2009-04-08
Text System Storage Layer Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how the Cocoa text system stores the information it needs to lay out text.
Text & Fonts Guides 2005-08-11
Text System User Interface Layer Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement the main, high-level interface to the Cocoa text system.
Text & Fonts Guides 2006-06-28
Text Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for operating on strings (formatting, sorting, converting, comparing).
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-05-29
Text Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text views.
Text & Fonts Guides 2004-02-09
TextEdit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the deprecated technology replaced by the Multilingual Text Engine (MLTE).
Text & Fonts Reference 2006-07-13
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2007-06-01
TextNameTool (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A command line tool sample illustrating how to use various graphical facilities and services without a login.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2003-10-27
TimeZone.Daylight (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to read the current location and time zone that is set in Date & Time.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2003-01-14
TypeServicesForUnicode (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use various ATSUI functions and features going from simple to very complex.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2005-08-10
Understanding Text Input and the Text Services Manager in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Discusses keyboard input, including Unicode, and explains how events are routed and handled.
Text & Fonts Guides 2002-12-11
Unicode Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that allows applications and input methods to operate on Unicode text.
Text & Fonts Reference 2006-01-10
Using Ink Services in Your Application (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Ink Services works and how to customize handwriting recognition.
Text & Fonts Guides 2003-07-24
AppearanceSampleUpdated (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample Code for the WWDC 402 Adopting Xcode Hands-on session.
Tools Sample Code 2005-06-27
Apple JavaScript Coding Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of the JavaScript language, its object-oriented features, and coding best practices.
Tools Guides 2008-11-19
AppleScript Studio 1.4 Release Notes (HTML)
Moving Tiger AppleScript Studio Release Notes to separate document.
Tools Release Notes 2007-12-22
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Tools Guides 2006-04-04
AppleScript Studio Release Notes (HTML)
Describes late-breaking news and highlights of new or changed features in the latest release of AppleScript Studio.
Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Tools Reference 2007-10-31
Automatically starting and stopping application instances without using Monitor (HTML)
QA1064: Describes how to use WebObjects' monitor utility to stop and start application instances.
Tools Technical Q&As 2001-07-25
Automating Development Tasks with Automator and Xcode (HTML)
Learn to streamline daily tasks in your development projects using Automator.
Tools Articles 2006-08-07
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Tools Guides 2007-12-11
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
Big Top User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to monitor the use of resources on Macintosh computers, locally and over a network.
Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Birthdays (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dashboard widget with a plug-in that queries AddressBook.framework for contacts with upcoming birthdays.
Tools Sample Code 2008-09-10
BlockAnimation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A bit of java code which INCORRECTLY handles animation
Tools Sample Code 2006-08-01
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.
Tools Articles 2007-12-11
Bug Reporting Best Practices (HTML)
Provides information regarding the best means in which to file a bug report.
Tools Articles 2007-05-25
Building a JNI Universal Application with Xcode (HTML)
Learn to add Mac OS X features into your Java application using JNI and Xcode.
Tools Articles 2006-03-20
Building Objective-C static libraries with categories (HTML)
QA1490: Describes how to properly build Objective-C static libraries that contain categories on existing classes.
Tools Technical Q&As 2006-10-03
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Tools Guides 2005-11-09
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
Tools Sample Code 2007-10-30
C++ Runtime Environment Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides information about how to create and deploy C++ binaries.
Tools Guides 2006-06-28
C++ Tips and Tricks for Mac OS X (HTML)
TN2185: Tips and tricks for beginning to advanced C++ programmers on Mac OS X.
Tools Technical Notes 2007-05-25
Can't attach during two-machine debugging with GDB (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QA1019: Describes a workaround for a problem attaching during two-machine debugging on Mac OS X 10.0.x.
Tools Technical Q&As 2003-06-02
CFBundleIdentifier and user application access (HTML)
QA1373: Describes the role of CFBundleIdentifier in limiting a user's application access.
Tools Technical Q&As 2005-02-08
Changing the TCP Window Size (HTML)
NW47: Describes how to change the TCP window size in Open Transport.
Tools Technical Q&As 1997-03-14
Cocoa Application Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to build a simple Cocoa application using Xcode.
Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Tools Guides 2007-07-10
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Tools Guides 2008-11-19
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Tools Guides 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Tools Guides 2005-07-07
Common QA and Roadmap for USB Software Development on Mac OS X (HTML)
QA1370: Roadmap for development of USB Software on Mac OS X and some Common Questions and Answers
Tools Technical Q&As 2006-02-28
Compiler Tools Release Notes (HTML)
Describes the latest changes to the Mach-O assemblers, linkers, and object file tools.
Tools Release Notes 2007-04-11
Connecting the Font Menu in Interface Builder 3 (HTML)
QA1571: How to connect and configure the Font/Format menus in Interface Builder 3.
Tools Technical Q&As 2008-01-21
Correcting a PackageMaker version.plist and BundleVersions.plist problem (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1281: Describes how to correct a PackageMaker version.plist and BundleVersions.plist problem.
Tools Technical Q&As 2003-08-25
CPlusTest Reference (HTML)
Describes the CPlusTest framework, which provides an API for creating unit tests for C and C++ code.
Tools Reference 2008-04-08
CrashReporter (HTML)
TN2123: Describes CrashReporter and how to debug with crash logs.
Tools Technical Notes 2008-04-01
Creating a Managed Object Model with Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
A tutorial that shows how to create a Core Data managed object model using Xcode.
Tools Guides 2007-08-07
Creating install packages from the command line (HTML)
QA1284: Describes how to create install packages from the command line.
Tools Technical Q&As 2007-01-22
Cross-Development Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to build software for versions of Mac OS X other than the one the development tools are running on.
Tools Guides 2006-11-07
Customizing Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to enhance your Rails application with views and web forms, AJAX, and iPhone support.
Tools Articles 2008-06-09
CxxNewDelete (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to override the C++ 'new' and 'delete' operators.
Tools Sample Code 2006-10-03
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and WebKit technologies used in widgets.
Tools Guides 2009-02-04
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Tools Reference 2009-02-04
Dashcode 2.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Explains key features, known issues, and workarounds for Dashcode 2.0.
Tools Release Notes 2008-09-09
Dashcode User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Dashcode to create Dashboard widgets.
Tools Guides 2009-03-04
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Tools Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
Debugging An Authorization Plug-In With Xcode (HTML)
TN2108: A tutorial on how to use Xcode to debug an authorization plug-in.
Tools Technical Notes 2008-09-08
Debugging and Symbolizing Crash Dumps in Xcode (HTML)
Learn to use crash logs to find those difficult bugs.
Tools Articles 2007-04-03
Debugging arbitrary applications with Xcode (HTML)
QA1305: Debugging an application with Xcode without requiring the project that built the application.
Tools Technical Q&As 2003-09-15
Debugging NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding (HTML)
QA1472: Discusses the issues and factors that affect NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding.
Tools Technical Q&As 2006-11-13
Debugging Process Startup (HTML)
QA1573: Describes techniques for debugging a process's startup code.
Tools Technical Q&As 2007-12-21
Debugging with GDB (HTML)
Open-source document that explains how to use GDB to debug programs.
Tools Guides 2008-06-19
Deploying Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to deploy your Ruby on Rails application on Mac OS X Leopard Server.
Tools Articles 2008-06-09
Deprecated CALL_ON_[UN]LOAD pragmas (HTML)
QA1429: Replace deprecated CALL_ON_[UN]LOAD pragmas with constructor [destructor] function attributes.
Tools Technical Q&As 2006-01-10
Detecting the Debugger (HTML)
QA1361: Shows how to determine whether you're being run under the debugger.
Tools Technical Q&As 2004-10-27
Developing for Java with NetBeans 4.1 on Mac OS X (HTML)
Get started building Java applications on Mac OS X using this popular open source IDE.
Tools Articles 2005-05-16
Developing Java Applications on Mac OS X with Eclipse (HTML)
Learn from this hands-on article how to work with Eclipse on Mac OS X.
Tools Articles 2005-02-28
Developing Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to develop your Ruby on Rails application using Xcode 3 and the tools in Leopard.
Tools Articles 2008-06-09
Developing with ZeroLink: small applications and launching on other computers (HTML)
QA1322: Resolving issues caused by the ZeroLink feature in Xcode.
Tools Technical Q&As 2003-10-31
Disabling Processor Cores on a Multi-Core System (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1141: Describes how to disable processor cores on a multi-core system for testing purposes.
Tools Technical Q&As 2008-09-16
Distribution Definition Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schema of distribution definition files.
Tools Reference 2009-01-06
Documentation Set Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to integrate third-party documentation with the Xcode Documentation window.
Tools Guides 2009-01-06
Documentation updater for Project Builder shipping with Mac OS X 10.2 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1207: Updating Project Builder to find new symbols, including the Bluetooth framework under Mac OS X.
Tools Technical Q&As 2002-10-25
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Tools Guides 2006-04-04
Dynamic Library Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to design, implement, and use dynamic libraries.
Tools Guides 2009-02-26
Dynamic Loader Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5.
Tools Release Notes 2009-03-04
'dynamic shared library not made a weak library in output with MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET...' bug (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1233: Why 'ld' may give a warning about the Mac OS X_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET environment variable and its failure to weak link.
Tools Technical Q&As 2003-04-01
Eclipse and Mac OS X: a Natural Combination (HTML)
Learn about the Eclipse IDE on Mac OS X and how to get started using it.
Tools Articles 2004-06-07
Ensuring Backwards Binary Compatibility - Weak Linking and Availability Macros on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2064: Ensuring that Mach-O applications built using today's Mac OS X runs on previous versions of the OS.
Tools Technical Notes 2003-02-18
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
Tools Guides 2008-07-11