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User experience encompasses the visual appearance, interactive behavior, and assistive capabilities of software. From an application's graphical user interface to its use of additional technologies such as speech recognition and speech synthesis, a cohesive and professional user experience is what Mac users have come to expect.

A guided introduction for developers new to adopting the Mac OS X user experience.   Essential information for developers implementing application user interfaces.   APIs for implementing the look and feel of Mac OS X application software.
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Accessibility (ApplicationServices/HIServices) Reference (HTML)
Describes the low-level API for making applications accessible to assistive applications.
Accessibility 2008-04-08
Appearance Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for coordinating the look of the standard Mac OS human interface.
Carbon 2007-01-23
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Carbon, Help Technologies 2006-07-12
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa Objective-C API for the Application Kit framework.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Application Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for a number of services--such as Quartz 2D and ATSUI--that are essential to Carbon applications.
General 2007-10-31
Backup Core Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for managing the backup exclusion status of files and folders.
Apple Applications 2006-07-31
Carbon Accessibility Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for making Carbon applications accessible to assistive technologies.
Accessibility 2006-02-07
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Carbon Help Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing help tags in an application's user interface.
Carbon, Help Technologies 2004-03-01
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
Collaboration Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for monitoring and editing identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
Control Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon controls.
Carbon 2007-03-26
Core Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for many fundamental operating system services.
General 2007-10-31
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Explains JavaScript, Info.plist, and other objects used within Dashboard.
Apple Applications 2006-05-23
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Carbon 2008-04-08
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Carbon, Cocoa 2008-04-08
Display Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for dynamically changing the arrangement and display modes of attached monitors. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Carbon 2007-12-04
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Carbon 2006-07-12
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Carbon, Cocoa 2006-07-13
Finder Interface Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes several C data types used by the Finder to contain information about file system objects.
Carbon 2006-10-31
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Carbon 2007-02-26
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
Accessibility, Human Interface Device & Force Feedback 2008-04-08
HIArchive Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for storing and retrieving data in HIArchives.
Carbon 2005-08-11
HIObject Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating human interface objects in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-08-11
HIShape Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon API for manipulating HIShape objects.
Carbon 2004-06-28
HIToolbar Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-09-08
HIView Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating view-based controls and menus in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-13
Icon Services and Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating and drawing icons in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-06
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
IMKCandidates Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports the use of candidate windows for an input method.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKInputController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that controls input on the input method side.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKMouseHandling Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to receive mouse events for an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages connections to input method clients.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKServerInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to receive text events.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKStateSetting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to set or access state values for an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKTextInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to send and obtain data from an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
Input Method Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for building input methods for Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
Input Method Kit Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Input Method Kit framework.
Text & Fonts 2007-07-18
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation 2007-07-23
Interface Builder Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for unarchiving interface objects.
Carbon 2004-02-17
Latent Semantic Mapping Reference (HTML)
Describes the C API for classifying text and other token-based content based on latent semantic information.
Speech Technologies 2008-04-08
List Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for managing and displaying elements in a scrollable list. Replaced by the Data Browser.
Carbon 2007-12-11
Menu Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing an application's menus.
Carbon 2006-09-15
Navigation Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for presenting a user interface for opening, saving, and navigating files.
Carbon 2006-08-16
NSActionCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines a cell's target, action, and other properties and validates textual content.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a message and obtain the user's response to it.
Cocoa, Help Technologies 2007-04-25
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a view that can display its border and a title.
Cocoa 2007-05-30
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a user interface for manipulating one-dimensional or two-dimensional data sets.
Cocoa 2007-04-05
NSBrowserCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display data elements in a browser.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements controls that react to clicks and maintain state.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the functionality of a button.
Cocoa 2007-12-11
NSCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the base class for managing cells.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract superclass used to add color pickers (custom user interfaces for color selection) to NSColorPanel.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that color pickers implement to provide a customized user interface for color panels.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that color pickers implement to provide a basic user interface for color panels.
Cocoa 2007-04-27
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used for selecting and displaying a single color value.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSComboBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a control for entering text or select ing from a pop-up list of items.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the subclass of NSTextFieldCell used to implement the user interface of a combo box.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCellDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by NSComboBoxCell to access its data source object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by NSComboBox to access its data source object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the base class for implementing controls.
Cocoa 2007-07-13
NSCursor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage the appearance of the cursor.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to convert between string representations of date and time information and date objects.
Cocoa 2007-01-23
NSDatePicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a control for displaying and editing a date.
Cocoa 2008-06-09
NSDatePickerCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a cell for displaying and editing a date.
Cocoa 2008-06-09
NSDrawer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide a retractable user interface element that contains and displays view objects.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSErrorRecoveryAttempting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol that lets applications attempt recovery from errors.
Cocoa 2007-02-23
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the Font panel--a user interface object that displays a list of available fonts.
Cocoa 2007-04-06
NSFontPanelValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to tell the Font panel to display some or all of its elements.
Cocoa 2007-04-06
NSForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing form controls.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract superclass for objects that create, interpret, and validate the textual representation of cell contents.
Cocoa 2007-07-09
NSFormCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing form cells.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to obtain and display online help.
Cocoa, Help Technologies 2007-03-24
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing image data in a control.
Cocoa 2007-01-22
NSImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for image controls.
Cocoa 2007-01-22
NSInputManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used by text views to communicate with the text input management system.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSInputServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that interprets text view events and communicates them to the text input management system.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Cocoa 2007-04-02
NSInputServiceProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle application and text field events.
Cocoa 2007-04-02
NSLevelIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a control for displaying the current value of a fixed capacity.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSLevelIndicatorCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a cell for displaying the current value of a fixed capacity.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to encapsulate information about linguistic, cultural, and technological conventions and standards.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used for creating groups of NSCell objects that work together in various ways.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSMenu Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing an application's menus.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and managing command items in menus.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Deprecated. Describes the protocol for managing command items in menus.
Cocoa 2007-02-08
NSMenuItemCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated. Describes the class for handling the measurement and display of a single menu item in its encompassing frame.
Cocoa 2007-03-07
NSMenuValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to update the enabled status of menu items.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated. Describes the class for handling the display of menus on the screen.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSNumberFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to convert between the textual representation of NSNumbers objects and their stored values.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for a view that supports OpenGL drawing calls.
Cocoa 2007-01-26
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to allow users to browse the file system to locate a file.
Cocoa 2007-04-03
NSOutlineView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to present a row-and-column format view to display hierarchical data that can be expanded and collapsed.
Cocoa 2007-07-26