Introduction to Framework Programming Guide

Provides conceptual information and guidelines on how to create a framework.

Organization of This Document

This document contains the following articles:

What are Frameworks? provides background information about what frameworks are and how they’re used.

Anatomy of Framework Bundles describes the basic structure of frameworks, including umbrella frameworks.

Framework Versions describes the system used to manage different framework versions and how you specify version information when you create a framework.

Frameworks and Binding explains how framework symbols are bound to an application at runtime. It also explains how to improve the load time of your framework through the use of prebinding.

Frameworks and Weak Linking explains the concept of “weak-linking” for framework symbols and shows you how to use this feature with both your own frameworks and third-party frameworks.

Guidelines for Creating Frameworks provides guidelines on the best practices to use for creating frameworks.

Creating a Framework shows how to create public frameworks and private embedded frameworks using Xcode.

Initializing a Framework at Runtime shows how to create a load-time initialization routine for your framework.

Exporting Your Framework Interface shows how to limit the symbols exported by your framework to the exact set you want.

Installing Your Framework explains the conventions for where to install your custom frameworks.

Including Frameworks shows the basic ways to use frameworks in applications.