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Reference Library
Carbon is a set of C APIs offering developers an advanced user interface tool kit, event handling, the Quartz 2D graphics library, and multiprocessing support. Developers have access to other C and C++ APIs, including the OpenGL drawing system and the Mach microkernel.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to Carbon.   Essential information for developers using procedural C.   C API references organized by framework.
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Watcher (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Uses FSEvents to monitor a directory hierarchy to keep track of its total size
Events & Other Input Sample Code 2006-08-04
The "/.vol" directory and "volfs" (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1113: Describes how the Carbon File Manager interacts with BSD via "volfs" and the "/.vol" directory.
File Management Technical Q&As 2002-02-14
Accessing File Control Blocks (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
FL10: Shows how to access file control blocks correctly, reiterating not to access FCBs directly.
File Management Technical Q&As 1999-10-05
AddNibToNav (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to create a custom area, instantiated from a nib file, in a Navigation Services dialog.
File Management Sample Code 2004-01-22
Alias Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing persistent references to file system objects.
File Management Reference 2006-12-05
Allocate and Disk Full Error (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
FL12: Discusses a problem with AFP volumes displaying incorrect free space, and returning disk full errors.
File Management Technical Q&As 1999-07-21
Application Services Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Application Services framework.
File Management Reference 2007-07-18
AsyncPB (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Describes how to chain File System calls from an interrupt handler like a Time Manager task.
File Management Sample Code 2003-10-27
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
File Management Reference 2007-05-29
audioburntest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Uses the DRTrackCallbackProc and track properties to create a RedBook audio CD from AIFF files.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
Avoiding the -42 error with DiscRecording (HTML)
QA1292: Explains how to workaround the -42 error when using the DiscRecording API.
File Management Technical Q&As 2004-05-25
bulkerase (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to erase media using the DiscRecording framework.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
Carbon Core Release Notes (HTML)
File Management Release Notes 2007-10-31
CFFileDescriptor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
CFFileDescriptor provides an opaque type to monitor file descriptors for read and write activity via CFRunLoop.
File Management Reference 2007-05-23
CFPrefTopScores (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to access globally shared (writable) user preferences without requiring authentication.
File Management Sample Code 2006-10-09
databurntest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to create a DRFolderRef and burn it to disc.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
The Death of typeFSSpec: moving along to typeFileURL (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2022: Discusses the typeFileURL format and using it to pass file references between applications in Mac OS X.
File Management Technical Notes 2001-06-07
Determining if a Drive is a Network Volume (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
NW09: Shows how to determine if a volume is mounted over the network.
File Management Technical Q&As 1998-06-01
Determining volume size (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
FL08: Describes methods of determining volume size and free space under Mac OS.
File Management Technical Q&As 1998-09-14
Directories Appear as Volume Aliases (HTML)
QA1351: Discusses how VFS plug-ins should handle device numbers to ensure compatibility with Carbon applications.
File Management Technical Q&As 2004-05-25
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
File Management Reference 2008-04-08
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.
File Management Reference 2008-04-08
Disconnected aliases on CD-ROM and Alias Manager (HTML)
OPS05: Explains why aliases may become disconnected on a CD-ROM.
File Management Technical Q&As 2001-03-26
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
File Management Release Notes 2007-10-31
DisplayURL (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Parses a passed in path URL into its various components displaying server information.
File Management Sample Code 2005-10-04
DRDataBurnCarbonUI (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
DRDataBurnCarbonUI shows how to use the standard DiscRecording burn setup and progress panel from Carbon.
File Management Sample Code 2004-04-09
DREraseCarbonUI (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
DREraseCarbonUI shows how to use the DiscRecording erase setup and progress panel from Carbon.
File Management Sample Code 2004-04-09
DumpVolumeInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A tool to help folks who are implementing a plug-in file system (VFS plug-in) on Mac OS X.
File Management Sample Code 2004-11-12
Enabling the Navigation Services default behavior in its dialogs (HTML)
QA1384: Explains how to enable the default behavior of the Navigation Services dialogs.
File Management Technical Q&As 2004-10-15
Exclusive File Access in Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2037: Covers exclusive file access In Mac OS X
File Management Technical Notes 2002-05-01
Expanding Tilde-based paths (HTML)
QA1549: Demonstrates how to resolve tilde-based relevant paths.
File Management Technical Q&As 2007-09-24
File Manager File Handling Q&As (HTML)
FL515: Contains an archive of Q&As related to the Mac OS File Manager.
File Management Technical Notes 2000-08-14
File Manager Performance and Caching (HTML)
FL16: Discusses traditional Mac OS file system input/output performance issues and the File Manager's volume cache.
File Management Technical Notes 2000-09-01
File Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for basic file management tasks, such as opening and saving files.
File Management Reference 2007-07-13
File Manager Text Encoding Hints (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1223: How to use Text Encoding Hints.
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-01-20
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
File Management Guides 2008-07-11
FileNotification (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
kqueue file notification introduced in 10.3. Notification API to detect file system modifications.
File Management Sample Code 2005-10-27
filesystem_examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Collection of command line tools illustrating filesystem features.
File Management Sample Code 2006-01-10
Finder Interface Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes several C data types used by the Finder to contain information about file system objects.
File Management Reference 2006-10-31
FinderDragPro (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample file illustrating drag and drop techniques for use with file system objects.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
FinderLaunch (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to open documents by sending Apple Events to the Finder.
File Management Sample Code 2003-10-14
Finding your application's directory (HTML)
FL14: Demonstrates finding your application's directory and setting it as the default directory.
File Management Technical Q&As 2000-06-19
Folder Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and accessing directories, including common Mac OS X system locations.
File Management Reference 2006-07-12
Folder Watching (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how a background only application can use Apple events to pass work to another application.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
Fragment Tool (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates manipulation of code fragments; combining and separating; viewing and editing information associated with each.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-30
FSCopyObject (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Copy engine for copying files and directories.
File Management Sample Code 2004-03-19
FSCreateFileAndOpenForkUnicode (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstartes the use of FSCreateFileAndOpenForkUnicode to create a file with restricted access on disk and a read/write access path.
File Management Sample Code 2005-06-01
FSDeleteObject fails with fBsyErr, sometimes (HTML)
QA1497: Why Spotlight indexing can cause file deletion to fail, and what to do about it.
File Management Technical Q&As 2006-11-17
FSFileOperation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This sample shows how to use the FSFileOperation API which supports copying and moving filesystem objects.
File Management Sample Code 2005-06-06
FSMegaInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Prints information about various file system objects; helpful when debugging VFS plug-ins.
File Management Sample Code 2008-02-25
FSRemoveInheritedACEs (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates manipulating access control lists of existing file system objects using the File Manager.
File Management Sample Code 2005-06-01
FSReplaceObject (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
FSReplaceObject is an example command line tool showing how to exercise the FSReplaceObject and FSPathReplaceObject related APIs.
File Management Sample Code 2007-02-14
FSSetCatalogInfo versus UID and GID (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1251: Describes why FSSetCatalogInfo does not set the UID and GID of the file, and provides a work around.
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-03-26
GrabBag (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates variety of techniques and features of Carbon. DataBrowser , PBCatalogSearchAsync, Overlay windows, Tab controls, more...
File Management Sample Code 2003-07-29
HFS Plus Volume Format (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN1150: Describes the physical layout of an HFS Plus volume.
File Management Technical Notes 2004-03-05
How can I set the default location with the modern Navigation APIs NavCreatexxx? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1151: Explains how to set the default location with a NavCustomControl call using the kNavCtlSetLocation message in the Event Proc.
File Management Technical Q&As 2002-07-01
Launch Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how an application can open document files, other applications, and URLs.
File Management Guides 2007-08-23
Launch Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an API for opening documents, other applications, and URLs, in a way similar to the Finder or the Dock.
File Management Reference 2006-07-13
Launch Services Release Notes (HTML)
File Management Release Notes 2007-10-31
Locating Application Support Files under Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2015: Describes different methods for an application to determine its location.
File Management Technical Notes 2001-03-27
Locking an Area Using PBLockRange (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
OPS09: Describes the behavior of PBLockRange.
File Management Technical Q&As 1996-05-14
MDImporter Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the plug-in architecture and callbacks required by a document metadata importer.
File Management Reference 2005-04-29
MDItem Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type that encapsulates the metadata attributes for a file.
File Management Reference 2006-06-28
MDLineage Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions that can be used to track different versions of the same logical file.
File Management Reference 2006-07-13
MDQuery Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for creating and executing metadata queries.
File Management Reference 2005-06-04
MDSchema Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions that allow inspection of a metadata schema.
File Management Reference 2005-04-29
Migrating to FSRefs & long Unicode names from FSSpecs (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2078: Answers and coding techniques to commonly asked questions about adopting FSRefs and long file names.
File Management Technical Notes 2003-05-06
MoreFiles (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows various File Manager operations (file copy, etc.) through a collection of high-level routines.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
MoreFilesX (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows various File Manager operations through a collection of high-level routines using HFS Plus APIs.
File Management Sample Code 2005-05-13
MoreIsBetter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Library providing indispensable wrapers and workarounds for many areas of Mac OS programming.
File Management 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.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
My custom item dismisses my Navigation Services dialog (HTML)
QA1381: Gives a workaround for dismissive clicks on items in the custom area of Navigation Services dialogs.
File Management Technical Q&As 2004-11-22
Navigation Services for Carbon: An Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces changes to the Navigation Services API for CarbonLib and Carbon in Mac OS X.
File Management Guides 2003-12-10
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
File Management Guides 2007-07-10
Navigation Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for presenting a user interface for opening, saving, and navigating files.
File Management Reference 2006-08-16
Non Mac OS X Bundled data-fork based Resources (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1098: Mac OS X Bundled data-fork based Resources
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-08-20
Notifying the Finder of changed or newly created files (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1260: Recommended approach to notifying the Finder to update its open windows of a file creation or change.
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-04-15
On Launching an App with a Document (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN1002: Explains how to programatically launch an application and then tell it to open a document.
File Management Technical Notes 2000-07-01
PBLockRange with a zero-length range (HTML)
FL13: Describes the afpRangeOverlap error and a work around.
File Management Technical Q&As 1999-11-22
The Preferences Problem (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - TN1134: Outlines typical problems with preferences files and some of their solutions.
File Management Technical Notes 1998-10-01
Programmatic Mounting of AppleShare Volumes (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN1111: Mount an AppleShare volume using PBVolumeMount. AFPVolMountInfo structure is defined along with the AFPXVolMountInfo structure.
File Management Technical Notes 1997-10-01
PutAwayVolumes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates several ways to unmount a volume and which contexts might require which techniques.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
resolveRelativeAlias (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the steps involved in creating and resolving a relative alias.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
Resolving Alias Files Quietly (HTML)
FL30: Describes how to resolve alias files on remote volumes without user interaction.
File Management Technical Notes 1999-11-01
Resource Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for accessing information stored in resource files.
File Management Reference 2007-10-31
Searching Volumes - Solutions and Problems (HTML)
Deprecated - FL31: Discusses searching volumes using PBCatSearch.
File Management Technical Notes 1988-10-01
Securely Erasing, Accessing and Dismounting a Macintosh Partition (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
FL11: Set up a disk for secure erasures. Resources with information on magnetic disks, information recovery.
File Management Technical Q&As 1999-01-11
Setting default open Finder window (HTML)
QA1449: How to set the default Finder window to open when a disk is mounted
File Management Technical Q&As 2006-01-03
SignatureToApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Takes a signature (creator code) and finds the corresponding application, running or on disk.
File Management Sample Code 2003-01-14
Simplifying Data Handling with Uniform Type Identifiers (HTML)
Learn to use UTIs to take advantage of key Mac OS X technologies in your application.
File Management Articles 2005-07-12
Sorting Like the Finder (HTML)
QA1159: Shows how to sort strings like the Finder's list view.
File Management Technical Q&As 2004-10-27
Spotlight Importer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the role of metadata importers and how to write them.
File Management Guides 2007-05-27
Spotlight Metadata Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the usage and types of metadata attributes for various file types used with Spotlight.
File Management Reference 2007-05-22
Spotlight Query Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to add Spotlight searching to your applications.
File Management Guides 2006-03-08
Spotlight Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API and metadata attributes for supporting and working with Spotlight.
File Management Reference 2006-07-13
SpotlightFortunes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to provision a Spotlight importer plug-in for a custom UTI, and how to use a NSMetadataQuery with bindings to display live query results in a table view.
File Management Sample Code 2008-06-06
Text Encodings in VFS (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1173: How to handle text encodings correctly when writing a file system (VFS) plug-in for Mac OS X.
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-02-10
Third party VFS can't unmount on Mac OS X 10.3 (HTML)
QA1308: Describes changes in unmounting behavior for VFS plug-ins under Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther."
File Management Technical Q&As 2003-10-23
Tiger Develop Overview Series: Working with Spotlight (HTML)
Learn to make the most of Spotlight's powerful search technologies within your own applications.
File Management Articles 2004-10-07
Translation Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for handling data and documents between applications, including applications from another operating system.
File Management Reference 2006-07-12