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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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NSMappingModel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Core Data class used to specify a mapping from one schema to another during migration.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSMigrationManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Core Data class that performs a migration of data from one persistent store to another.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSPropertyMapping Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to specify how to map a Core Data property during migration.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
ObjectPath (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPathControl class.
File Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-05-22
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
Image Capture Applications Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interaction between applications programs and image capture devices such as cameras and scanners.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-05-16
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Security Guides 2007-05-15
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
Collaboration Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for monitoring and editing identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
VideoHardwareInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Query VRAM, Quartz Extreme support, OpenGL extensions and renderer, GLSL version and support.
Games, Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-05-14
Detecting the Caps Lock Key (HTML)
QA1519: Explains how to detect when the caps lock key is turned on and off.
Events & Other Input Technical Q&As 2007-05-11
Using UTIs to Identify Image Files (HTML)
QA1518: Explains how to use Uniform Type Identifiers to identify what files can be opened at images.
File Management, Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2007-05-11
Automator Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Automator framework not described in individual classes.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-10
NSObject Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additional methods on the NSObject class used by Interface Builder.
Tools Reference 2007-05-10
NSView Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additional methods on the NSView class used by Interface Builder.
Tools Reference 2007-05-10
LSMSmartCategorizer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the Latent Semantic Mapping (LSM) framework by automatically categorize RSS feeds.
Data Management, Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to edit the input parameters of a composition in a view.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionParameterView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a utility window for browsing and selecting a composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a view for browsing and selecting a composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionPickerView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionRepository Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a system-wide, central repository of Quartz Composer compositions.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInContext Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by execution contexts.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInOutputImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's produced as output from a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a controller object for a user interface to edit the settings for a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCRenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to an arbitrary OpenGL context.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to a custom NSView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Guides 2007-05-04
Notification Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to send and receive information about events in Cocoa programs.
Design Guidelines, Events & Other Input Guides 2007-05-03
NSViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage a view, usually a view stored in a nib file.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-05-02
QTMovieView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the display of QuickTime movies.
QuickTime Reference 2007-05-01
NSComparisonPredicate Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to define a predicate used to compare the results of two expressions.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSCondition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for implementing a POSIX-style condition lock.
Process Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSDecimalNumberHandler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to specify the way an NSDecimalNumber object rounds off and handles errors.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSMachPort Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing Mach ports.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-04-30
NSOperation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing encapsulated tasks.
Process Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSOperationQueue Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing operation objects.
Process Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSRecursiveLock Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing a recursive version of a mutex.
Process Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that color pickers implement to provide a basic user interface for color panels.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-04-27
NSSound Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load a sound into memory and play it.
Audio, Data Management, Resource Management Reference 2007-04-27
NSSpellChecker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that gives any application an interface to the Cocoa spell-checking service.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSSpellServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to make your particular spelling checker a service available to any application.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSTextView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class instantiated as the front-end, primary user interface object of the Cocoa text system.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSWorkspace Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides an application access to Finder services.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-04-27
Mac OS X ABI Mach-O File Format Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data structures that make up the Mach-O file format.
Runtime Architecture Reference 2007-04-26
DatePicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSDatePicker control.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-04-25
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a message and obtain the user's response to it.
Events & Other Input, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-04-25
SearchField (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use and customize the features of the "NSSearchField" control.
Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2007-04-25
NSApplication Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the central framework for a Cocoa application's execution.
Runtime Architecture Reference 2007-04-24
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API related to the QLPreviewRequest opaque type of the Quick Look framework.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-20
NSInvocation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class whose instances ecapsulate Objective-C messages for use in store-and-forward mechanisms such as distributed objects.
Interapplication Communication, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-04-19
Interface Builder Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the classes, types, and contants in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Tools Reference 2007-04-18
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-04-18
NSLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that coordinates the layout and display of characters held in an NSTextStorage object.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-16
NSTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support setting text and background color in the NSCell class.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-16
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and Web Kit technologies used in widgets.
Apple Applications Guides 2007-04-13
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Quick Look framework classes and functions used for creating Quick Look generator plug-ins.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-13
NSGradient Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for creating gradient fill patterns.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-04-12
NSInvocationOperation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for implementing an invocation-based operation.
Interapplication Communication, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-04-12
NSPageLayout Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that instantiates a dialog to query the user for printing information such as paper type.
Printing Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the user interface of an NSPathControl object.
User Experience 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.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathComponentCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a component of a path.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the control that represents a file path or virtual path.
User Experience 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.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSTextTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a text table as a whole.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a group of items in a window's toolbar.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSAppleEventDescriptor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to access the basic data structures in an Apple event.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-04-10
NSKeyValueBindingCreation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol that provides methods to manage bindings between view objects and controllers or controllers and model objects.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-10
NSScriptCommandDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide a description of a script command.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-04-10
NSScriptSuiteRegistry Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used as the top-level repository of scriptability information for an application at runtime.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-04-10
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol that a class must implement to provide the data used to populate a table view.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-10
NSTreeController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is used with Cocoa bindings to manage a tree of objects.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Reference 2007-04-10
QTRecorder (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use the new QTKit capture classes introduced in 10.5.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-04-10
NSArrayController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is used with Cocoa bindings to manage a collection of objects.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Reference 2007-04-09
NSFontManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class instantiated as the controller object for the font conversion system.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-06
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements the Font panel--a user interface object that displays a list of available fonts.
User Experience 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.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-06
NSProxy Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the root class of Objective-C classes used in distributed objects.
Interapplication Communication, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-04-06
Value Transformer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create and use value transformers, which are used with the Controller Layer.
Data Management Guides 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.
Events & Other Input, User Experience Reference 2007-04-05
NSInputStream Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a read-only stream.
Data Management, File Management, Networking Reference 2007-04-05
NSOutputStream Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that implements a write-only stream.
Data Management, File Management, Networking Reference 2007-04-05
Mac OS X ABI Function Call Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the function-calling conventions used in the architectures supported by Mac OS X.
Intel-Based Macs Guides 2007-04-04
Foundation Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Foundation framework not described in individual classes.
Data Management, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-04-03
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to allow users to browse the file system to locate a file.
Events & Other Input, File Management, User Experience Reference 2007-04-03
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to identify and perform spoken commands.
Accessibility, Events & Other Input, User Experience Reference 2007-04-03
IBDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for manipulating Interface Builder documents.
Tools Reference 2007-04-02
IBPlugin Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the base methods for managing plug-ins in Interface Builder.
Tools Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Tools Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Data Types Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C types declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Tools Reference 2007-04-02
NSController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class that implements the informal protocols required by controller classes used with Cocoa bindings.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Reference 2007-04-02
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Events & Other Input, Text & Fonts, User Experience Reference 2007-04-02
NSInputServiceProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle application and text field events.
Events & Other Input, Text & Fonts, User Experience Reference 2007-04-02
NSMetadataQuery Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to query Spotlight for file metadata.
File Management Reference 2007-04-02