Jump To:
Technical Notes provide late breaking information about new Apple technologies and supplementary documentation discussing some of the more complex issues related to programming for the Mac OS.

Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sorted by
Title
Sort by
Topic
Sort by
Date
About the Keynote XML File Format (APXL Schema) (HTML) (PDF)
TN2067: Describes the Keynote XML file format schema for developers creating or modifying Keynote presentations programmatically.
Apple Applications 2003-02-12
AEBuild*, AEPrint* and Friends (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2045: Describes the AEBuild* and AEPrint* family of routines.
AppleScript, Carbon 2002-03-21
AEStream and Friends (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2046: Describes the AEStream family of routines.
Carbon 2002-03-29
Apple Image Capture Camera Module changes for Mac OS X Update 10.1.3 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2040: Changes to the Apple Image Capture camera modules for Mac OS X Update 10.1.3.
Apple Applications 2002-04-16
Applet Signing with MRJ and Javakey (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1175: Procedures needed to sign jar files, install certificates, and successfully utilize a signed applet.
Java 2000-10-16
AppleTalk Overview Q&As (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - NW520: AppleTalk overview Q&As (retired) covering nodes, versions, interrupt-safe routines, broadcasting, self-send packets, user/computer names
Networking 1990-10-01
Approaching the Millennium: The Mac and the Year 2000 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1049: Presents a lists of Q&As that primarily deal with concerns for Apple computers and the year 2000.
User Experience 1996-06-01
ATA Device Software Guide Additions and Corrections (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1098: Notes Errors and additions to ATA Device Software Guide and ATA Manager 4.0.
Device Drivers, Hardware 1997-07-01
ATA Interface Modules (HTML) (PDF)
TN1192: Describes how to write device drivers for ATA host bus controllers, ie. ATA Interface Module.
Device Drivers, Hardware 1999-12-01
Authorization for Everyone (HTML)
TN2095: Describes applications of Authorization Services beyond simple privilege requesting.
Carbon, Security 2003-10-23
Background-Only Applications (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1070: Describes issues and implementation strategies for creating Background-Only Applications.
Carbon, Mac OS 9 & Earlier 2000-08-14
Boot Blocks (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - DV03: Warns that Boot Block form and function will change and describes undocumented Boot Blocks features.
Hardware, Mac OS 9 & Earlier 1987-03-01
Browser Plugins in Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2020: Describes the format of web browser plugins for Mac OS X.
Apple Applications, Carbon 2001-05-31
Building QuickTime Components for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2012: Discusses the changes necessary to build Carbon CFM and Mach-O QuickTime Components for Mac OS X.
QuickTime 2001-03-08
The Care And Feeding Of Runtime.exec (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1168: JDK-1.1.x on Mac OS Classic describes MRJ 2.x's implementation of Runtime.exec.
Java 2000-08-14
CD-ROM Driver Calls (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - DV22: Discusses public interface to Apple CD-ROM driver and supersedes information in AppleCD SC Developer's Guide.
Accessibility, Darwin, Device Drivers, Hardware, Mac OS 9 & Earlier 2000-08-14
The CGDirectDisplay API (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2007: Provides a reference for the CGDirectDisplay API on Mac OS X.
Graphics & Imaging 2000-11-08
The CGDirectPalette API (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2008: Provides a reference for the CGDirectPalette API on Mac OS X
Carbon 2000-11-08
Checklist for Building Applications and Extensions (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1126: Summarizes the different items which you need to include to build a good, well-behaved Macintosh product.
Carbon 2000-08-14
ChooseMovieClock and Video Output Components (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2052: Discusses the ChooseMovieClock API introduced in QuickTime 6.
QuickTime 2002-05-07
ColorSync on Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2035: Describes ColorSync, which is fundamentally integrated into Mac OS X.
Graphics & Imaging 2004-06-25
Compatibility between JDirect 2 and JDirect 3 (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - TN2002: Changes in JDirect between MRJ 2.2 on MacOS 8/9 and the Java runtime on Mac OS X.
Java 2001-08-03
CrashReporter (HTML)
TN2123: Describes CrashReporter and how to debug with crash logs.
Tools 2004-09-09
Creating NetBoot Server-Friendly Applications (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1151: Guidelines to ensure applications are able to work correctly in a NetBoot environment.
Carbon, Mac OS X Server 2000-08-01
Cross-Platform Communication Using the PC Compatibility Messaging System (HTML) (PDF)
TN1076: Describes Messaging System Architecture used in Apple's PC Compatibility and DOS Compatibility products
QuickTime 1996-10-01
Data Fork Font Support in Mac OS 8.5 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1159: Describes support for data fork-housed TrueType and OpenType fonts added to Mac OS 8.5.
Graphics & Imaging 2000-08-14
Dealing with PCI Expansion Chassis Problems (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1135: Discusses solutions for compatibility issues between PCI cards and attached expansion chassis.
Hardware 1998-08-01
The Death of typeFSSpec: moving along to typeFileURL (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2022: Discusses the typeFileURL format and using it to pass file references between applications in Mac OS X.
Carbon 2001-06-07
Debugging Java Code With MacsBug (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1154: Shows how to Debug Mac OS Classic Java with MacsBug.
Java 2000-08-14
Debugging Open Firmware Using Telnet (HTML) (PDF)
TN2004: Addresses debugging device's firmware using Ethernet and telnet protocol to a target machine running Open Firmware.
Device Drivers, Hardware 2000-10-16
Decompressing DV frames and accessing the pixels (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2044: Discusses and demonstrates how to decompress DV frames and access the pixels directly.
QuickTime 2002-04-11
Deconstructing A Keynote Document: Part One - Slides (HTML) (PDF)
TN2073: Provides a Keynote XML file format overview; details the XML, showing slide, text and graphics functionality.
Apple Applications 2003-05-20
Device input using the HAL Output Audio Unit (HTML)
TN2091: How to get input from an audio device by using the HAL's Output Audio Unit.
Music & Audio 2004-08-23
Dialog Manager Helper Functions (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1148: Discusses Dialog Manager calls available since System 7.0 that minimize work in managing dialogs.
Carbon 2000-08-14
Digital CD Audio (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1187: Describes digital audio on the Macintosh.
Carbon, Device Drivers 2000-04-01
Disabling Interrupts on the Traditional Mac OS (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1137: Describes how to (and why you should not) disable interrupts on the traditional Mac OS.
Mac OS 9 & Earlier 1998-08-01
do shell script in AppleScript (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2065: Frequently Asked Questions about the AppleScript "do shell script" command.
AppleScript 2003-01-27
Don't println to a Socket (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1157: Describes improper use of the "println" method when writing to connected to a Socket and alternative methodolgies.
Java 2000-08-14
Driver Tuning on Panther or G5 (HTML) ()
TN2090: Describes potential issues when using drivers in Panther or later, or on a Power Macintosh G5.
Darwin, Hardware 2003-06-24
The Enhanced Print Apple Event (HTML)
TN2082: Describes an enhancement to the print Apple event that gives developers more control over scripted printing.
AppleScript, Carbon, Cocoa, Printing 2003-12-09
Ensuring Backwards Binary Compatibility - Weak Linking and Availability Macros on Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2064: Ensuring that Mach-O applications built using today's Mac OS X runs on previous versions of the OS.
Carbon, Cocoa, Performance, Tools 2003-02-18
The Euro Currency Symbol (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1140: The available information about Mac OS and Mac Mac OS X Server support for the Euro currency symbol.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts 2000-01-01
Exclusive File Access in Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2037: Covers exclusive file access In Mac OS X
Carbon, Cocoa 2002-05-01
Extending and Controlling Sherlock (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1141: Discusses features of Sherlock 2, including additions to the Internet Search Plug-in language and Applescript commands.
Apple Applications 2000-08-14
FCBs, Now and Forever (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1184: MacOS 9.0 changes the format of the FileControlBlock (FCB) table significantly. How to access FCB information.
Carbon 1999-10-01
File Manager File Handling Q&As (HTML) (PDF)
FL515: Contains an archive of Q&As related to the Mac OS File Manager.
Carbon 2000-08-14
File Manager Performance and Caching (HTML) (PDF)
FL16: Discusses traditional Mac OS file system input/output performance issues and the File Manager's volume cache.
Carbon, Cocoa 2000-09-01
Fill in the size field before calling ICMGetPixelFormatInfo (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2057: Discusses why you should always fill in the size field of the ICMPixelFormatInfo structure before calling ICMGetPixelFormatInfo.
QuickTime 2002-07-17
FireWire for Mac OS 9: An Overview (HTML)
TN2126: Overview of FireWire on Mac OS 9.
Mac OS 9 & Earlier 2004-09-17
FireWire: DCL Programs Under Mac OS X (HTML) ()
TN2072: Describes the structure and creation of DCL programs under Mac OS X.
Device Drivers, Hardware 2003-06-21
The Font Panel for Carbon API (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2058: The API to display and interact with the Font Panel from Carbon applications on Mac OS X.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging 2002-09-05
Full Screen changes in QuickTime 6.1 and 6.3 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2068: Changes made to the QuickTime Full Screen API with the release of QuickTime6.1 and QuickTime6.3
QuickTime 2003-06-19
Fundamentals of Open Firmware, Part I: The User Interface (HTML) (PDF)
TN1061: Describes the Open Firmware User Interface, Forth and the Open Firmware language used in Apple products.
Hardware 1996-07-01
Fundamentals of Open Firmware, Part II: The Device Tree (HTML) (PDF)
TN1062: Describes the Open Firmware device tree.
Hardware 1996-09-01
Fundamentals of Open Firmware, Part III: Understanding PCI Expansion ROM Choices for Mac OS (HTML) (PDF)
TN1044: Recommended contents for PCI expansion ROMs, including a table of standard devices, properties and methods.
Hardware 2001-06-26
GDB for MacsBug Veterans (HTML) (PDF)
TN2030: Translate your experience with MacsBug into a working knowledge of the GNU source-level debugger (GDB).
Carbon, Darwin, Performance, Tools 2001-10-18
Gestalt Manager Q&As (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - OS505: Describes methods utilizing the Gestalt Manager for determining whether a Macintosh is a U.S. machine.
Carbon 1992-12-01
Getting Started with GDB (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2032: Explains common C, C++ and Objective-C debugging tasks using gdb, plus helpful tips and tricks.
Tools 2001-12-07
Getting Up to Speed with QuickTime VR: Notes from the Field (HTML) (PDF)
TN1029: Understanding QuickTime VR: available tools and what a multimedia developer may be interested in.
QuickTime 2000-08-14
Glyph Access Protocol (HTML) ()
TN2079: How to support unencoded glyphs using the TSM, ATSUI and Cocoa.
Carbon, Internationalization 2003-05-06
Guide to Creating Kiosks on Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2062: Discusses techniques used in creating applications which require kiosk-like functionality on Mac OS X.
Carbon, Cocoa, User Experience 2003-02-24
Handling Audio Unit Events (HTML)
TN2104: This technote explains how to handle AudioUnit Events
Music & Audio 2004-02-16
HFS Plus Volume Format (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1150: Describes the physical layout of an HFS Plus volume.
Carbon, Cocoa 2004-03-05
High-Speed SDRAM Design Considerations (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1138: Illustrates certain issues with the design of high-speed SDRAM DIMM modules.
Hardware 1998-08-01
History & Peregrinations: The Dogcow Goes QuickTime VR (HTML) (PDF)
TN1031: History of Clarus (the DTS Dogcow mascot). How to create a QuickTime VR object movie starring the Dogcow.
QuickTime 1996-04-01
HIView APIs vs. Control Manager APIs (HTML)
TN2074: Provides some clarification on the similar APIs and similar behaviors found in the HIView and Control Managers.
Carbon 2003-10-29
How To Be a Good Multiple Users Citizen (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1186: Documents the Mac OS 9 Multiple Users technology and gives some useful code snippets.
Carbon 2000-06-01
How to structure your handleCheckUpdate callback (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - TN1193: JMFrameUpdate from its window-drawing code, and why it should also implement a checkUpdate callback.
Java 2000-08-14
How to use the ATSUI Low Level APIs to get glyph outlines (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2033: Covers the ATSUI low-level APIs.
Carbon, Internationalization 2001-11-26
How to write a JDBC Plugin (With Example) (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2027: Describes the process of writing JDBC Adaptor plugins for WebObjects.
Java, WebObjects 2001-07-11
I/O Kit Power Controller (HTML) ()
TN2076: Describes code to include in a KEXT in order to register for power management events.
Hardware 2003-06-20
ICM Drawing non-scheduled frames with QuickTime 6 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2060: Changes to how the Image Compression Manager draws non-scheduled frames in QuickTime 6 on Mac OS X.
QuickTime 2002-08-21
Identifying Java on Mac OS X (HTML)
TN2110: Discovering installed versions of J2SE, Mac OS X from Java code.
Java 2004-10-05
Idling Movie Importers (HTML)
TN2111: discusses how to write an idling movie importer component
QuickTime 2004-11-12
Importing animated GIFs (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2018: Describes how to tell if a GIF file or dataref contains more than one frame.
Graphics & Imaging, QuickTime 2001-04-17
In Search of Missing Links (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1127: Demonstrates how to write CFM glue code which can call classic 68K A-Trap routines.
Carbon 1998-05-01
Insights on OpenGL (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2014: Frequently Asked Questions regarding OpenGL and graphics on the Macintosh.
Graphics & Imaging 2001-03-26
Installable Keyboard Layouts (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2056: Explains how to define a Unicode keyboard via an XML text file.
Internationalization, User Experience 2002-09-27
Interrupt-Safe Routines (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1104: Dicusses Mac OS, "safe " routines to call at interrupt time.
Hardware 2000-11-08
Introduction to MRJ Scripting with AppleScript for Java (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1162: Introduction to MRJ Scripting with ApplesScript for Java
Java 2000-08-14
iTunes Visual Plug-ins (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2016: Describes the APIs used by iTunes and its Visual plug-ins to communicate back and forth.
Apple Applications 2001-06-26
iTunes Visual Plug-ins for Windows (HTML) (PDF)
TN2098: Creating visual plug-ins for iTunes Windows 4.1 and later.
Apple Applications 2003-10-17
Java Runtime Properties for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN2031: Runtime properties for use with Java 1.3.1 applications.
Java 2002-06-12
JIS Keyboard Support in Mac OS 8 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1152: Describes the mechanism introduced in Mac OS 8 to support JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) keyboards.
Mac OS 9 & Earlier 1999-02-01
JNI Tips: Building Your Native-Method Libraries For MacOS (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1155: Provides Native Method Library tips for Java Native Interface (JNI) on Mac OS
Java 2000-08-14
Kernel Core Dumps (HTML)
TN2118: Explains how to gather and use remote kernel core dumps.
Darwin, Hardware, Networking, Tools 2004-11-12
Living in a Dynamic TCP/IP Environment (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1145: Describes some of the intricacies of dealing with TCP/IP in a dynamic environment, such as Open Transport.
Networking 2002-08-27
Locating Application Support Files under Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2015: Describes different methods for an application to determine its location.
Carbon 2001-03-27
Locking and Unlocking Handles (HTML) (PDF) ()
Deprecated - TN1122: Explains Memory Manager handles: locking, unlocking, and preserving a handle's state.
Carbon 1998-02-01
Mac OS 8.1 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1121: Documents changes in Mac OS 8.1 that will, most likely, affect developers.
Mac OS 9 & Earlier 1998-01-01
Mac OS 9.0.4 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1194: An overview of new features and bug fixes presented in Mac OS 9.0.4.
Mac OS 9 & Earlier 2000-04-01
Mac OS X 10.2 (HTML) (PDF)
TN2053: Describes software development-related changes provided in system software update Mac OS X 10.2.
Carbon, Cocoa, Performance 2002-09-04
Mac OS X 10.3 Navigation Services Changes (HTML) ()
TN2105: Explains Navigation Services changes in Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
Carbon 2004-01-30
Mac OS X Debugging Magic (HTML)
TN2124: Collection of Mac OS X debugging hints and tips.
Tools 2004-12-02
The Mac OS X Font Manager (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2024: Information on installing and accessing fonts programatically.
Graphics & Imaging 2001-07-11
Mac OS X QuickDraw Performance (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2051: Some of the trouble spots in the Mac OS X windowing system and how to avoid them.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging 2003-02-13
Mac OS X v10.1 (HTML) (PDF)
TN2029: Updated list of APIs for Mac OS X 10.1.
Tools 2001-10-15
Mac OS X: v10.1.1 - v10.1.3 (HTML) (PDF)
TN2043: Describes changes provided by system software updates 10.1.1 through 10.1.3.
Carbon, Cocoa, Performance 2002-03-06
Mac OS X: versions 10.0.1 through 10.0.4 (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN2025: List of API differences betweem 10.0.1 trough 10.0.4
Tools 2001-07-26
The Mac ROM Enters a New World (HTML) (PDF) ()
TN1167: Describes changes made to the Macintosh ROM since the introduction of the iMac.
Hardware 2000-08-14