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Reference Library: Cocoa
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. Cocoa provides a complete suite of Interface Builder palettes and programmatic interfaces that developers can use to deliver this experience in their applications.

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Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Quick Look framework classes and functions used for creating Quick Look generator plug-ins.
Reference 2007-04-13
NSPathCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the user interface of an NSPathControl object.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathCellDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol optionally implemented by the delegate of an NSPathCell object to customize a pop-up-style path.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathComponentCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a component of a path.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the control that represents a file path or virtual path.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControlDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol optionally implemented by the delegate of an NSPathControl object to support dragging and pop-up menu cusomization.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol that a class must implement to provide the data used to populate a table view.
Reference 2007-04-10
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the Font panel--a user interface object that displays a list of available fonts.
Reference 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.
Reference 2007-04-06
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a user interface for manipulating one-dimensional or two-dimensional data sets.
Reference 2007-04-05
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to allow users to browse the file system to locate a file.
Reference 2007-04-03
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to identify and perform spoken commands.
Reference 2007-04-03
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Reference 2007-04-02
NSInputServiceProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle application and text field events.
Reference 2007-04-02
NSBrowserCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display data elements in a browser.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements controls that react to clicks and maintain state.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that color pickers implement to provide a customized user interface for color panels.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSInputManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used by text views to communicate with the text input management system.
Reference 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.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to obtain and display online help.
Reference 2007-03-24
NSPrintPanelAccessorizing Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Reference 2007-03-09
NSMenuItemCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated. Describes the class for handling the measurement and display of a single menu item in its encompassing frame.
Reference 2007-03-07
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a control to display and edit an array of strings.
Reference 2007-03-07
NSStatusBar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages a collection of status items displayed within the system-wide menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSStatusItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a status item displayed within the system-wide menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSTokenFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a cell to display and edit an array of strings.
Reference 2007-03-05
TrackIt (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSTrackingArea class.
Sample Code 2007-03-05
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used for creating groups of NSCell objects that work together in various ways.
Reference 2007-03-02
NSMenuValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to update the enabled status of menu items.
Reference 2007-03-02
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated. Describes the class for handling the display of menus on the screen.
Reference 2007-03-02
NSLevelIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a control for displaying the current value of a fixed capacity.
Reference 2007-03-01
NSLevelIndicatorCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a cell for displaying the current value of a fixed capacity.
Reference 2007-03-01
Grady (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSGradient class.
Sample Code 2007-02-28
NSActionCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines a cell's target, action, and other properties and validates textual content.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract superclass used to add color pickers (custom user interfaces for color selection) to NSColorPanel.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used for selecting and displaying a single color value.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSErrorRecoveryAttempting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol that lets applications attempt recovery from errors.
Reference 2007-02-23
TwoManyControllers (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use an intermediate NSArrayController to populate an NSTableView across two to-many relationships.
Sample Code 2007-02-23
NSOutlineViewDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by an outline view to retrieve data from its data source delegate, and--optionally--to update data values.
Reference 2007-02-19
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications make their user interface available to external assistive applications.
Guides 2007-02-08
NSMenuItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Deprecated. Describes the protocol for managing command items in menus.
Reference 2007-02-08
Cocoa_With_Carbon_or_CPP (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call Carbon routines and C++ code from within an Objective-C Cocoa program.
Sample Code 2007-02-05
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for a view that supports OpenGL drawing calls.
Reference 2007-01-26
NSOpenPanel - Choosing any file and ignoring packages (HTML)
QA1468: Explains how to configure NSOpenPanel to filter only files and ignoring packages.
Technical Q&As 2007-01-25
Preventing column reordering in NSTableView (HTML)
QA1503: Demonstrates how to prevent column reordering of certain columns in NSTableView.
Technical Q&As 2007-01-24
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to convert between string representations of date and time information and date objects.
Reference 2007-01-23
Creating an About Panel in Your Cocoa Application (HTML)
TN2179: Describes different ways in implementing your Cocoa application's "About" panel.
Technical Notes 2007-01-22
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing image data in a control.
Reference 2007-01-22
NSImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for image controls.
Reference 2007-01-22
NSPredicateEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa class used to present an editable view of a predicate.
Reference 2007-01-15
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
Sample Code 2007-01-12
NSPredicateEditorRowTemplate Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that specifies, for a predicate editor view, predicates and how to display them.
Reference 2007-01-12
Toolbar Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa toolbars.
Guides 2007-01-08
NSCollectionViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that acts as a controller between a prototype view and a model object.
Reference 2006-12-28
Configuring the Recent Searches menu for NSSearchField (HTML)
QA1496: Discusses the common problem when adding menu items to the Recent Searches menu.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-27
NSProgressIndicator animation and redraw (HTML)
QA1473: Discusses why NSProgressIndicator does not redraw during progress loops.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-15
Debugging NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding (HTML)
QA1472: Discusses the issues and factors that affect NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-13
Matrix Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa matrices.
Guides 2006-11-07
Control and Cell Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the relationship between Cocoa control and cell objects.
Guides 2006-10-16
How to make NSTextField accept tab, return and enter keys. (HTML)
QA1454: Describes how to make the NSTextField control accept tab, return and enter keys by using the control's dispatch delegate method.
Technical Q&As 2006-10-09
MyCustomColorPicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to write a custom color picker using Cocoa.
Sample Code 2006-10-09
Preference Panes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create dynamically loaded plug-ins that provide a graphical interface to user preferences.
Guides 2006-10-03
Slider Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sliders.
Guides 2006-10-03
Window Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa windows and panels.
Guides 2006-10-03
Embedding Hyperlinks in NSTextField and NSTextView (HTML)
QA1487: Shows how a Cocoa app can embed a hyperlink inside both NSTextField and NSTextView using NSAttributedString.
Technical Q&As 2006-10-02
ImageBackground (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw an image in the background of an NSOutlineView and NSTableView.
Sample Code 2006-10-02
Using AppleScript Scripts in Cocoa Applications (HTML)
TN2084: Explains how to work with AppleScript scripts in your Cocoa application.
Technical Notes 2006-09-19
Disabling and Enabling an NSTextView (HTML)
QA1461: Shows how a Cocoa application can disable and enable an NSTextView.
Technical Q&As 2006-09-11
Sheet Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sheets.
Guides 2006-09-05
Speech Synthesis Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes speech synthesis in Mac OS X and explains how your application can produce customized spoken output.
Guides 2006-09-05
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Sample Code 2006-08-08
How to create a Cocoa Disclosure Button Control (HTML)
QA1485: Explains how to create a disclosure button control in Cocoa, not immediately available in Interface Builder.
Technical Q&As 2006-08-01
DOMDocument Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMDocument class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-07-31
DOMNode Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMNode class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-07-31
DOMRange Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMRange class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-07-31
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Guides 2006-07-24
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Programming interfaces that support user searching of textual content, supporting query-based and similarity-based searches.
Reference 2006-07-14
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Reference 2006-07-13
Drag and Drop Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement drag and drop in Cocoa.
Guides 2006-06-28
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that allows a window to display a toolbar below its title bar.
Reference 2006-06-28
NSToolbarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a single item in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2006-06-28
Online Help (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add help to a Cocoa application.
Guides 2006-06-28
Outline View Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa outline views.
Guides 2006-06-28
Scroll View Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use scroll views in Cocoa applications.
Guides 2006-06-28
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.
Guides 2006-06-28
DOMHTMLFrameElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLFrameElement class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
DOMHTMLIFrameElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLIFrameElement class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
DOMHTMLObjectElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLObjectElement class to facilitate communication between Web Kit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
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.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the subclass of NSTextFieldCell used to implement the user interface of a combo box.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCellDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by NSComboBoxCell to access its data source object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by NSComboBox to access its data source object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSDrawer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide a retractable user interface element that contains and displays view objects.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing form controls.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSFormCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing form cells.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSPopUpButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for pop-up button controls.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSPopUpButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for pop-up button cells.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSPreferencePane Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the interface for subclasses to provide preference panes to System Preferences or other applications.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSScroller Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Reference 2006-05-23