Using the Yellow Box APIs

Framework Reference

The Yellow Box has two core object frameworks: Foundation and Application Kit (which includes Display PostScript).

Foundation (Objective-C) Foundation (Java)	A collection of "base" classes that specify fundamental object behavior and that provide a level of operating-system independence by insulating code from the core operating system. Foundation classes provide mechanisms for the deallocation, storage, notification, persistence, and distribution of objects.
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Application Kit (Objective-C) Application Kit (Java)	Provides a hierarchy of classes that support a graphical user interface, event handling, and general application behavior. Display PostScript features a set of APIs for PostScript drawing.

The Java API reference is a "work in progress" with only a dozen or so classes fully documented. However, it provides links to the descriptions of corresponding Objective-C classes, protocols, and methods when such descriptions are available.

PDF versions of the Objective-C reference documentation are located with each framework:

• /Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/Resources/English.lproj/
  Documentation/Reference/ObjC_classic/AppKitReference.pdf
• /Library/Frameworks/Foundation.framework/Versions/C/Resources/English.lproj/
  Documentation/Reference/ObjC_classic/FoundationReference.pdf

On Yellow Box for Windows systems, substitute the installation directory (value of NEXT_ROOT) for /System.

You can also use Project Builder to access reference documentation.

 

Mach Reference

Rhapsody Operating System Software

Discusses the internals of the Mach kernel, the heart of the Rhapsody operating system. It includes information about low-level thread manipulation and Mach messaging. Most developers should use the facilities provided by Foundation instead of using the APIs at this level. This document is available as PDF document Mach.pdf at: /System/Documentation/Developer/OperatingSystem/