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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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Getting the pixel data from a CGImage object (HTML)
QA1509: Describes how to access the pixel data of a CGImage object
Games, Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2008-08-27
Gathering all PostScript Printer Descriptions (PPDs) (HTML)
QA1529: Describes a work around for an issue in PMCopyAvailablePPDs on Mac OS X 10.4 and below
Printing Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Registering and unregistering for sleep and wake notifications (HTML)
QA1340: Explains how applications can register and unregister for sleep and wake notifications on Mac OS X.
Resource Management Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Games, Graphics & Imaging, Performance, User Experience Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Using QTPixelBufferContextCreate with NewMovieFromProperties (HTML)
QA1443: Discusses using a QuickTime pixel buffer visual context and NewMovieFromProperties to output frames to pixel buffers.
QuickTime Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Mac OS X Code Signing In Depth (HTML)
TN2206: Intermediate to expert level overview of code signing that details specific options and gotchas
Security Technical Notes 2008-08-06
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
Locales Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use locales to retrieve, interpret, and display localized information in Core Foundation.
Internationalization Guides 2008-07-11
Audio Queue Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a high-level programming interface for recording and playing back audio data.
Audio Reference 2008-07-08
Xcode Project Management Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides practical descriptions of the major development tasks developers perform with Xcode.
Tools Guides 2008-07-08
Debugging with GDB (HTML)
Open-source document that explains how to use GDB to debug programs.
Tools Guides 2008-06-19
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Design Guidelines, User Experience Guides 2008-06-09
Core Image Kernel Language Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the symbols for writing image-processing kernels.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-06-09
Core Image Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview and explains how to use and create image filters and image units.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-06-09
Core Text Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to do text layout and font-related operations using the Core Text programming interfaces.
Text & Fonts Guides 2008-06-09
Image Unit Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write image processing kernels and package them for distribution.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-06-09
vDSP One-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Performance Reference 2008-06-09
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
Xcode Quick Tour Guide for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Provides a hands-on introduction to Xcode, Apple's comprehensive suite of software development tools for Mac OS X.
Tools Guides 2008-06-05
Getting a Packet Trace (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1176: Lists tools available for looking at the network packets on the wire.
Internet & Web, Networking Technical Q&As 2008-06-03
Xcode Overview (HTML) (PDF) (日本語 HTML) (日本語 PDF)
Describes the Xcode IDE and its major components, and provides and overview of the development process.
Tools Guides 2008-05-27
Xcode Workspace Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of the Xcode workspace, and shows how to use its components and features.
Tools Guides 2008-05-22
AlbumToSlideshow (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using CF and NSXML to create Final Cut Pro XML.
Core Foundation Sample Code 2008-05-15
WhackedTV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa version of the venerable HackTV sample code, demonstrating usage of the Sequence Grabber API's
QuickTime Sample Code 2008-05-09
HID Config Save (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Human Interface Device Manager Configuration sample
Games Sample Code 2008-05-07
SampleScannerApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This project implements a simple client accessing an ICA scanning device.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2008-05-07
Xcode Unit Testing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to incorporate unit tests into your development process using Xcode.
Design Guidelines Guides 2008-05-02
CIColorTracking (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An Objective-C applicaton that implements a GPU-based technique to find the location of a uniquely colored object in a scene
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2008-04-24
Scripting Additions for Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN1164: Talks about how to create AppleScript scripting additions (OSAX) for Mac OS X.
Interapplication Communication Technical Notes 2008-04-24
Xcode Design Tools for Class Modeling (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode Design Tools for Class Modeling.
Design Guidelines, Tools Guides 2008-04-15
Determining console user login status (HTML)
QA1133: How to determine whether a user is logged in on the console, and be notified of changes.
Process Management Technical Q&As 2008-04-14
2D Graphics Release Notes for Mac OS X v10.5 (HTML)
Describes the changes and issues related to Core Image and Quartz 2D in Mac OS X v10.5.
Graphics & Imaging Release Notes 2008-04-08
Animation Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the animation facilities provided by Mac OS X.
Games, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-04-08
CPlusTest Reference (HTML)
Describes the CPlusTest framework, which provides an API for creating unit tests for C and C++ code.
Tools Reference 2008-04-08
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience Reference 2008-04-08
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Audio, 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.
Audio, File Management, User Experience Reference 2008-04-08
JavaScriptCore Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the API for evaluating JavaScript programs from within a C-based program
Internet & Web Reference 2008-04-08
Uniform Type Identifiers Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes uniform type identifiers and how to use them.
Data Management, File Management, Interapplication Communication Guides 2008-04-08
Bonjour Printer Subtype for HTTP (HTML)
QA1555: Describes how printer vendors can register their bonjour service such that Safari can see them.
Networking Technical Q&As 2008-03-25
Accessibility Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the accessibility features built into Mac OS X.
Accessibility Guides 2008-03-11
AppleScript Language Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the AppleScript scripting language. Includes many brief sample scripts.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Guides 2008-03-11
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Security Guides 2008-03-11
High Level Toolbox Release Notes (10.5.2) (HTML)
Describes HIToolbox enhancements for Mac OS X v10.5.2.
Human Interface Toolbox Release Notes 2008-03-11
How to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing (HTML)
QA1417: Describes how to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing to initialize the view in QuickTime 7
QuickTime Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
Strings Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create, manipulate, and search strings in Core Foundation, and how strings interact with encodings and character sets.
Core Foundation, Data Management, Internationalization, Text & Fonts Guides 2008-03-11
Suppressing the "unexpectedly quit" alert (HTML)
QA1288: Describes how to suppress the "unexpectedly quit" alert.
User Experience Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
CarbonCocoaTempConverter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Carbon and Cocoa user interfaces in the same Cocoa application.
Events & Other Input Sample Code 2008-03-10
FSMegaInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Prints information about various file system objects; helpful when debugging VFS plug-ins.
File Management Sample Code 2008-02-25
Customizing Process Stack Size (HTML)
QA1419: Describes methods for setting the stack size of a process and/or thread.
Process Management, Resource Management Technical Q&As 2008-02-20
Multiprocessing Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating preemptively scheduled tasks in Carbon applications.
Performance, Process Management Reference 2008-02-08
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
User Experience Guides 2008-02-08
Security Overview (HTML) (PDF)
An introduction to computer security concepts and the Mac OS X security APIs.
Security Guides 2008-02-08
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Performance, Process Management Guides 2008-02-08
Authorization for Everyone (HTML)
TN2095: Describes applications of Authorization Services beyond simple privilege requesting.
Security Technical Notes 2008-01-30
GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor.
Tools Reference 2008-01-23
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.2.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.2.1 compiler.
Tools Reference 2008-01-23
New HID Manager APIs for Mac OS X version 10.5 (HTML)
TN2187: Mac OS X version 10.5 introduces new APIs for the HID Manager.
Games, Porting Technical Notes 2008-01-23
Programmatically causing restart, shutdown and/or logout (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1134: Describes how to programmatically cause restart, shutdown, sleep or logout.
Events & Other Input, Process Management, Resource Management Technical Q&As 2008-01-23
AGL Changes for Mac OS X Leopard (v. 10.5) (HTML)
QA1523: This Q&A describes the new and deprecated APIs for Apple OpenGL (AGL)
Games, Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2008-01-04
64-Bit Guide for Carbon Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the changes necessary to create a 64-bit executable version of a Carbon application.
Design Guidelines, Performance, Porting Guides 2007-12-11
Apple Type Services for Fonts Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access fonts using the ATS-based font management API. Includes implementing the Fonts window.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-12-11
Apple Type Services for Fonts Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for ATS-based font access and management.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-11
Dictionary Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the deprecated C API for using dictionaries in spelling checkers and similar applications. Replaced by Dictionary Services.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-11
Font Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for QuickDraw-based font access and management.
Graphics & Imaging, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-11
List Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for managing and displaying elements in a scrollable list. Replaced by the Data Browser.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience Reference 2007-12-11
Managing Fonts: QuickDraw (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to use the deprecated QuickDraw-based font-management API replaced by Core Text or ATS.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-12-11
PDEPanel Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to implement custom panes in a printing dialog.
Printing Reference 2007-12-11
PDEPlugIn Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to add custom panes to a printing dialog.
Printing Reference 2007-12-11
PDEPlugInCallbackProtocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access information about the current print job.
Printing Reference 2007-12-11
PDF Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic PDF concepts and describes how to use PDF Kit to display PDF documents in your application.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Quartz 2D Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Quartz 2D. Includes illustrations and sample code.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Scrap Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API used to copy items to and from the Clipboard. Replaced by the Pasteboard Manager.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-12-11
Script Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API that was used for managing writing systems. Replaced by Unicode technology.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-11
Core Text Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API providing text and font services to applications and application environments.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-04
Display Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for dynamically changing the arrangement and display modes of attached monitors. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-12-04
Process Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for process management in Carbon applications.
Process Management Reference 2007-12-04
HackTV Carbon (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
HackTV Carbon shows how to use the sequence grabber to preview and record QuickTime movie files.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-11-16
Daemons and Agents (HTML)
TN2083: Describes the most common problems encountered with daemons and agents, and suggests detailed solutions.
Process Management Technical Notes 2007-11-05
Son of Grab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use the new CGWindow to get window images from the Window Server.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-11-01
AGL Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Apple graphics library for Carbon applications that use OpenGL.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
Apple Events Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides conceptual information and programming examples for working with Apple events.
Events & Other Input, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Apple Applications, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Release Notes (HTML)
Describes late-breaking news and highlights of new or changed features in the latest release of AppleScript Studio.
Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation, Tools Reference 2007-10-31
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
Application Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for a number of services--such as Quartz 2D and ATSUI--that are essential to Carbon applications.
General Reference 2007-10-31
Audio Codec Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for configuring audio codecs and for encoding and decoding audio data.
Audio Reference 2007-10-31
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Carbon Core Release Notes (HTML)
File Management, Internationalization, Resource Management, Text & Fonts Release Notes 2007-10-31
Carbon Developer Tools Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
Carbon Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for handling events in Carbon applications.
Events & Other Input Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
General Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-10-31
CGImageProperties Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes property constants for source and destination images.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
Code Signing Release Notes (HTML)
Security Release Notes 2007-10-31
Core Foundation Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for the Core Foundation framework.
Core Foundation Reference 2007-10-31
Core Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for many fundamental operating system services.
General Reference 2007-10-31