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Reference Library
Apple provides APIs, file format specifications, and other resources to provide developers with opportunities to interact with and extend various Apple applications.

A guided introduction to writing code that interacts with Apple applications.   Essential information for developers integrating their code with Apple's applications.   C and Objective-C API references organized by framework.
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PhotoToss: CSS Transforms, Transitions, and Web Fonts (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use CSS Transforms, Transitions, and Web Fonts.
Safari Sample Code 2008-08-21
Releasing the iTunes Windows COM from Managed Code (HTML)
QA1608: Describes how to properly release the iTunes Windows COM from managed code
iTunes Technical Q&As 2008-08-21
Final Cut Pro - The 'r4fl' Pixel Format (HTML)
TN2201: Describes the 'r4fl' pixel format used by Final Cut Pro to support greater than 8-bit rendering.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Technical Notes 2008-08-06
HTML Video With CSS Effects and Custom Video Controls (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
HTML5 video element example that uses CSS effects and custom video controls.
Safari Sample Code 2008-08-06
Reminders (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dashboard widget with a plug-in that displays upcoming iCal events, to do items, and calendars.
Dashboard, iCal Sample Code 2008-07-25
Dashcode User Guide (HTML) (PDF) (日本語 HTML) (日本語 PDF) (Français HTML) (Français PDF) (Deutsch HTML) (Deutsch PDF) (Español HTML) (Español PDF) (Nederlands HTML) (Nederlands PDF) (Italiano HTML) (Italiano PDF) (简体中文 HTML) (简体中文 PDF)
Explains how to use Dashcode to create Dashboard widgets.
Dashboard Guides 2008-07-11
Xsan Migration Guide for Xsan 2 (PDF)
Explains how to retain volumes and settings when migrating to Xsan 2 from previous versions of Xsan.
Xsan Guides 2008-07-11
FxPlug Reference (HTML)
Describes the APIs for writing plug-ins for Motion and Final Cut Pro.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express, Motion Reference 2008-07-04
FxPlug SDK Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Update for FxPlug SDK 1.2.3.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express, Motion Guides 2008-07-04
Mac OS X Server iCal Service Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage iCal shared calendar service.
iCal Guides 2008-06-09
Safari CSS Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) properties that are supported by Safari and the Web Kit.
Safari Reference 2008-06-09
Xsan 2 Administrator's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Xsan volumes in a storage area network.
Xsan Guides 2008-06-09
Xsan 2 Setup Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up a volume on a storage area network (SAN) using Xsan 2.
Xsan Guides 2008-06-09
FinalCutServerIntegrationSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to integrate an external application with Final Cut Server
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Sample Code 2008-06-07
Aperture Edit Plugin - Borders & Titles (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"Borders & Titles" is a sample plugin for Aperture that demonstrates how to use the image editing API introduced with Aperture 2.1
Aperture Sample Code 2008-06-02
Gamma Filter for FxPlug and AE (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Cross-application FxPlug and After Effects plug-in code.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express, Motion Sample Code 2008-06-02
AlbumToSlideshow (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using CF and NSXML to create Final Cut Pro XML.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express, iPhoto Sample Code 2008-05-15
QTMetadataEditor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates QuickTime 7 APIs in a Metadata Browsing and Editing application
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Sample Code 2008-05-09
SampleScannerApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This project implements a simple client accessing an ICA scanning device.
Image Capture Sample Code 2008-05-07
Aperture 2.1 SDK Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Update for Aperture SDK 2.1
Aperture Guides 2008-04-23
Aperture 2.1 SDK Reference (HTML)
Documents the Aperture APIs for creating an export plug-in or an image editing plug-in.
Aperture Reference 2008-04-23
Motion XML File Format (HTML) (PDF)
Motion Guides 2008-04-14
Message Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C API for sending email messages through the Mail application.
Mail Reference 2008-04-08
iChatStatusFromApplication (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to communicate with iChat using Scripting Bridge.
iChat Sample Code 2008-03-31
Bonjour Printer Subtype for HTTP (HTML)
QA1555: Describes how printer vendors can register their bonjour service such that Safari can see them.
Safari Technical Q&As 2008-03-25
Safari JavaScript Database Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript Database, a SQLite database built into Safari that provides local storage accessible to JavaScript applications.
Safari Guides 2008-03-18
Apple JavaScript Coding Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of the JavaScript language, its object-oriented features, and coding best practices.
Dashboard, Safari Guides 2008-01-15
Safari HTML Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tags and properties that are supported by Safari and the Web Kit.
Safari Reference 2008-01-15
Web Kit DOM Reference (HTML)
Describes the API for accessing the Web Kit's Document Object Model.
Dashboard, Safari Reference 2008-01-15
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Automator Guides 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Custom Patch Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create custom patches for distribution.
Quartz Composer Guides 2007-12-11
FinalCutPro_AppleEvents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Uses Apple Events to interact with Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 or later.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Sample Code 2007-11-16
Final Cut Pro XML Interchange Format (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Final Cut Pro XML Interchange Format version 4, providing access to contents of FCP projects.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Guides 2007-11-14
MovieAssembler (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates AppleEvent communication with FCP, project modification using XML, and media file identification using metadata.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Sample Code 2007-11-14
iTunes Visual Plug-ins (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2016: Describes the APIs used by iTunes and its Visual plug-ins to communicate back and forth.
iTunes Technical Notes 2007-11-13
Apple Applications Schema Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schemas used by Apple Applications to sync records such as contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.
Address Book, iCal, iSync, Mail, Safari Reference 2007-10-31
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Automator Release Notes 2007-10-31
Calendar Store Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iCal data.
General, iCal Guides 2007-10-31
CCL Modem Scripting Release Notes (HTML)
Explains changes to modem CCLs for Mac OS X v10.5 and what to do to change existing and supersede older scripts.
iSync Release Notes 2007-10-31
Instant Message Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iChat services and buddies and use iChat Theater through code samples.
General, iChat Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server iChat Service Administration (PDF)
New document that explains how to set up and manage iChat instant messaging service.
iChat Guides 2007-10-31
Sync Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Sync Services framework used to sync applications and devices.
Address Book, iCal, iSync, Safari Reference 2007-10-31
Sync Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add syncing to your applications.
Address Book, iCal, iSync, Safari Guides 2007-10-31
Sync Services Release Notes (10.5) (HTML)
Describes new features, notes, and known issues for Sync Services on Mac OS X v10.5.
Address Book, iCal, iSync, Safari Release Notes 2007-10-31
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
General Guides 2007-10-31
CalendarItems (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Creates new iCal Events and Tasks ("To Do's") using Objective-C 2 and the Calendar Store framework
iCal Sample Code 2007-10-15
Why isn't my QuickTime Component recognized by iMovie '08? (HTML)
QA1545: Discusses why iMovie '08 may ignore 3rd party QuickTime Components.
iMovie Technical Q&As 2007-10-03
Fader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates fading of elements inside a Dashboard widget
Dashboard, Safari Sample Code 2007-09-12
Web Kit DOM Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use JavaScript in web content and Web Kit-based applications.
Dashboard, Safari Guides 2007-09-04
MakeiPhoneRefMovie (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to generate QuickTime Reference Movies for iPhone.
Safari Sample Code 2007-08-03
Automator Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Automtor framework.
Automator Reference 2007-07-25
Address Book Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Address Book framework.
Address Book Reference 2007-07-18
Automator AppleScript Actions Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Guides you through the procedure for creating a simple Automator action implemented in AppleScript.
Automator Guides 2007-07-18
Calendar Store Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the CalendarStore framework.
iCal Reference 2007-07-18
Quartz Composer User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.
Quartz Composer Guides 2007-07-17
iSync JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a few JavaScript classes used to write phone connection functions in iSync Plug-in Maker.
iSync Reference 2007-07-11
iSync Manual Test Suite Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the suite of manual test cases that plug-in developers should run before shipping their product.
General, iSync Guides 2007-07-11
iSync SyncML Guide (PDF)
Guidelines on how to develop SyncML clients that are compatible with iSync.
General, iSync Guides 2007-07-11
iSync SyncML Reference (PDF)
Describes the SyncML (OMA DS) commands that are supported by iSync.
General, iSync Reference 2007-07-11
Sync Services Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to debug multiple syncing applications using the Syncrospector development tool.
Address Book, iCal, iSync, Safari Guides 2007-07-11
iSync Plug-in Maker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the iSync Plug-in Maker tool to create and test iSync phone plug-ins.
General, iSync Guides 2007-07-10
AMWorkflowController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to control an Automator workflow in an application.
Automator Reference 2007-07-09
ABAddressBook C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for accessing, adding, and removing Address Book records.
Address Book Reference 2007-07-08
Address Book Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa API for supporting and working with Address Book.
Address Book Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Calendar Store framework classes and methods used to access iCal data.
General, iCal 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.
iChat Reference 2007-07-08
CCL Modem Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
iSync Guides 2007-06-28
Goodbye World (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates display and use of widget preferences to save a widget's state
Dashboard Sample Code 2007-06-28
Hello Welt (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates localization techniques for Dashboard widgets
Dashboard Sample Code 2007-06-25
Voices (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of the widget.system command from Dashboard
Dashboard Sample Code 2007-06-25
Apply Firmware Password (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to create an Automator Action for System Image Utility.
Automator Sample Code 2007-06-12
AutomatorHandsOn (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates several methods for building Automator Actions
Automator Sample Code 2007-06-12
QuartzComposerSamplePatches (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A short list of new patches in Quartz Composer Mac OS X 10.5
Quartz Composer Sample Code 2007-06-11
Aperture Image Resizer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample Aperture Export Plug-In code
Aperture Sample Code 2007-06-08
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
Address Book Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginStarter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a minimal WebKit plug-in.
Safari Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginWithJavaScript (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call JavaScript from a WebKit plug-in and vice versa.
Safari Sample Code 2007-06-06
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Safari Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
WebKitPluginWithSimpleGUI (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A WebKit plug-in with an Interface Builder GUI
Safari Sample Code 2007-06-04
TimelineToTC (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample application demonstrating parsing/conversion of FCP XML Files.
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Sample Code 2007-06-01
Transforming a Shell Script into an Automator Action (HTML)
Custom shell script actions let you quickly turn shell, Perl, or Python scripts into Automator actions.
Automator Articles 2007-06-01
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Broadcast Your Application's Content with iChat Theater (HTML)
Leopard Overview article on using the Instant Messaging framework.
iCal Articles 2007-05-22
Mail Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to customize Mail features.
Mail Guides 2007-05-22
Rendering FxPlug Effects in Final Cut (HTML) (PDF)
Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express Guides 2007-05-21
Automator Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Automator framework not described in individual classes.
Automator Reference 2007-05-10
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and Web Kit technologies used in widgets.
Dashboard Guides 2007-04-13
Availability of Quartz Composer Patches in Web Kit (HTML)
QA1505: Details which Quartz Composer patches are available in Web Kit
Dashboard, Safari Technical Q&As 2007-03-05
AMAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class that defines the interface and general characteristics of Automator actions.
Automator Reference 2007-03-01
Enhance Your Dashboard Widgets with Quartz Composer Compositions (HTML)
Learn to create a composition and embed it easily in your widgets.
Dashboard, Quartz Composer Articles 2007-02-13
Quartz Composer Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API that supports loading, playing, and controlling compositions.
Quartz Composer Reference 2007-01-25
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Introducing Dashcode (HTML)
Learn how Dashcode makes widget development easier than ever.
Dashboard Articles 2007-01-09
Intel-Based Macs, Dashboard, Safari, and You (HTML)
QA1451: Concerns and details regarding widget and web development for Intel-based Macintosh computers
Dashboard, Safari Technical Q&As 2006-12-13
Quartz Composer Web Kit Plug-in JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for manipulating Quartz Composer compositions in webpages and Dashboard widgets via the Quartz Composer Web Kit Plug-in.
Dashboard, Safari Guides 2006-12-05
Web Kit Plug-In Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop and deploy browser plug-ins based on the Web Kit architecture.
Safari Guides 2006-12-05
AMWorkflowView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Automator Reference 2006-11-09
AMAppleScriptAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions that are driven by AppleScript scripts.
Automator Reference 2006-10-26
AMBundleAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions that are loadable bundles.
Automator Reference 2006-10-26
AMShellScriptAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions driven by a shell script or by a Perl or Python script.
Automator Reference 2006-10-26
AMWorkflow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to represent an Automator workflow within an application.
Automator Reference 2006-10-26
Automator Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for creating and working with actions used by the Automator application.
Automator, General Reference 2006-10-26