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Cocoa is an object-oriented application environment designed for developing Mac OS X native applications. The Cocoa frameworks support rapid development and high productivity. Cocoa provides developers starting new Mac OS X projects the fastest way to full-featured implementations. Applications from other platforms can also be brought to Mac OS X quickly using Cocoa.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to Cocoa.   Essential information for developers using Objective-C.   Objective-C API references organized by framework.
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ISyncFiltering Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
You use an ISyncManager object to communicate directly with the sync engine to perform administrative operations.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncRecordReference Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncSession Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
An ISyncSession object is used to manage a single sync operation.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncSessionDriver Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncSessionDriverDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines a set of methods that the data source of an ISyncSessionDriver object must implement.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
NSPersistentStoreCoordinator Sync Services Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods added to NSPersistenStoreCoordinator to support syncing of Core Data managed objects
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
NSPersistentStoreCoordinatorSyncing Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a protocol that you use to change the behavior of a Core Data application sync session.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
Quartz Composer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to used the framework to load, play, and control compositions.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-11
Sync Services Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
Sync Services Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to debug multiple syncing applications using the Syncrospector development tool.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web, Syncing, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
Checkout Lets You 'Get a Mac, Start a Store': Madebysofa Does It with Python and Cocoa (HTML)
Success story on how Mac-only Checkout was built using Python and Cocoa.
General, Scripting & Automation Articles 2007-07-10
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-07-10
IMService Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the IMService objects that each represent one service available through iChat.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-10
NSAppleScript Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the ability to load, compile, and execute scripts.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-07-10
Sort Descriptor Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use sort descriptors to specify the sorting of collections.
Data Management Guides 2007-07-10
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Design Guidelines, User Experience Guides 2007-07-10
AMWorkflowController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to control an Automator workflow in an application.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-09
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract superclass for objects that create, interpret, and validate the textual representation of cell contents.
Data Management, User Experience Reference 2007-07-09
ABMultiValue Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use these classes to represent properties that might have multiple values.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Address Book Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa API for supporting and working with Address Book.
Apple Applications, General Reference 2007-07-08
CalAlarm Class Reference (HTML)
Describes the class used to create and initialize alarms.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalAttendee Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to to confirm status and obtain more information about an attendee.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get attributes about a calendar.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide access to information about calendar objects associated with a calendar item.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendarStore Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to retrieve calendar objects, including calendars, events and tasks.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Calendar Store framework classes and methods used to access iCal data.
Apple Applications, Data Management, General Reference 2007-07-08
CalEvent Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about an event.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalNthWeekDay Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the CalNthWeekDay class that is used to define a weekly repeating pattern of an event.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalRecurrenceEnd Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a property of a CalRecurrenceRule that defines how long a recurrence is scheduled to repeat.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalRecurrenceRule Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to initialize and get recurrence rules and properties.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
IMVideoDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods that a video data source implements to provide auxiliary audio and video source to iChat Theater.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Instant Message Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for providing iChat presence information to Cocoa applications and using iChat Theater.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web Reference 2007-07-08
ABAddressBook Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Provides a programming interface to the Address Book.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
ABGroup Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how this class supports the concept of a "group" containing one or more persons.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
ABPerson Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to encapsulate all information about a person in the Address Book database.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-02
NSPositionalSpecifier Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to specify an insertion point in a container relative to another object in the container.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-06-29
NSScriptObjectSpecifier Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class used to instantiate objects that represent references to scriptable objects.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-06-29
NSFastEnumeration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that supports the Objective-C 2.0 fast enumeration feature.
Objective-C Language Reference 2007-06-27
Application Menu and Pop-up List Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa menus and lists work and how to manipulate items within them.
User Experience Guides 2007-06-26
NSHashTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa class used to contain a set of objects, optionally using weak references.
Data Management Reference 2007-06-26
QCComposition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a Quartz Composer composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-06-26
Quartz 2D Transformer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Quartz 2D to manipulate an image
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-06-21
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that displays multiple subviews within a single view and allows the user to change their relative sizes.
User Experience Reference 2007-06-13
JavaFrameEmbedding example (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Small Cocoa application that demonstrates how to use JavaFrameEmbedding.framework
Internet & Web, Java, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-12
LayerBackedOpenGLView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"LayerBackedOpenGLView" provides a simple example of hosting Cocoa controls as subviews of an NSOpenGLView.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-12
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
CustomSave (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize the NSSavePanel.
File Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
MenuItemView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates embedding an NSView inside a menu item or NSMenuItem.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
NSOperationSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSOperation and NSOperationQueue classes.
Process Management Sample Code 2007-06-11
QuartzComposerSamplePatches (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A short list of new patches in Quartz Composer Mac OS X 10.5
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-06-11
ViewController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use "NSViewController".
Printing, Resource Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
Bound Button (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates using Cocoa bindings to bind a button's target and action parameters.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-08
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for supporting Cocoa images in Core Image.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-06-08
CustomAtomicStoreSubclass (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates the implementation of a custom Core Data atomic store.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-08
NSFont Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents fonts to an application.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-08
Using Secure Event Input Fairly (HTML)
TN2150: Describes the proper use of EnableSecureEventInput.
Events & Other Input, Security Technical Notes 2007-06-08
Simple Bindings Adoption (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A simple example that illustrates the adoption of Cocoa Bindings.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-07
TrackBall (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build a custom control based on the NSControl class.
Accessibility, Design Guidelines, Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-07
Distributed Objects Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Objective-C objects in different threads or different processes communicate.
Interapplication Communication, Networking, Objective-C Language Guides 2007-06-06
IMKInputController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that controls input on the input method side.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
IMKServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages connections to input method clients.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
IMKServerInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to receive text events.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
Input Method Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for building input methods for Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
JSInterpreter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple JavaScript interpreter
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
JSPong (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Pong with JavaScript AI
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
Key-Value Coding Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information about how to access a Cocoa object's values using keys.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Guides 2007-06-06
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
PrefsPane (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa sample System Preferences bundle that demonstrates how to use the NSPreferencePane class.
Data Management, Design Guidelines, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
SpeedometerView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a custom NSView.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginStarter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a minimal WebKit plug-in.
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginWithJavaScript (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call JavaScript from a WebKit plug-in and vice versa.
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Internet & Web Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
IMKCandidates Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports the use of candidate windows for an input method.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKMouseHandling Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to receive mouse events for an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKStateSetting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to set or access state values for an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKTextInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to send and obtain data from an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
Attributed Strings Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use attributed strings, which manage attributes of character strings or individual characters.
Data Management, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-06-04
Querying Metadata With Spotlight (HTML)
TN2192: Describes how a Cocoa application can search Spotlight metadata.
File Management, User Experience Technical Notes 2007-06-04
WebKitPluginWithSimpleGUI (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A WebKit plug-in with an Interface Builder GUI
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-04
Core Data HTML Store (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implementation of a Core Data atomic store based on HTML tables
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-01
NewsReader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of the Publication Subscription framework to create a simple RSS reader application.
Data Management, Internet & Web, Networking Sample Code 2007-06-01
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Text & Fonts, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-01
Core Animation Release Notes (HTML)
Describes features, issues, and workarounds related to Mac OS X v10.5 and its support of Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging Release Notes 2007-05-31
CrossEvents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to send CarbonEvents and NSNotifications between Carbon and Cocoa.
Events & Other Input, Process Management Sample Code 2007-05-31
Departments and Employees (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Source code for NSPersistentDocument Core Data Tutorial.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-05-31
Dictionary Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create a dictionary and access it programmatically.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-05-30
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a view that can display its border and a title.
Graphics & Imaging, Printing, User Experience Reference 2007-05-30
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Audio Reference 2007-05-29
Core Endian Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and installing callbacks to byte swap custom data.
Data Management, Intel-Based Macs, Porting Reference 2007-05-29
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-05-29
SBApplication Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the automatically defined class through which Cocoa applications can communicate with scriptable applications using Objective-C.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBApplicationDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol for handling error Apple events returned from target applications.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBElementArray Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Scripting Bridge class for dealing with collections of related SBObjects.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBObject Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Scripting Bridge class that provides methods for communicating with objects in a scriptable application.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
Scripting Bridge Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API that allows Cocoa applications to communicate with scriptable applications.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-05-29
Spotlight Importer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the role of metadata importers and how to write them.
File Management Guides 2007-05-27
Spotlight Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Apple's metadata technology.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-05-27