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Difference between revisions of "/System/Library/Frameworks"

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(Updated list to modern frameworks and tidied up the list. I will be transferring the private frameworks from the previous list shortly.)
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On the [[iOS]] there are 2 kinds of frameworks: '''public frameworks''' and '''private frameworks'''. Public frameworks are those ones endorsed by Apple and are allowed to be used in AppStore apps. Private frameworks are intended to be used only by original apps, and are more unstable against firmware changes, but many of the interesting features are in the private frameworks.
  
On the [[iOS]] there are 2 kinds of frameworks: '''public frameworks''' and '''private frameworks'''. Public frameworks are those ones endorsed by Apple and are allowed to be used in AppStore apps. Private frameworks are intended to be used only by original apps, and are more unstable against firmware changes, but many of the interesting features are in the private frameworks.
  +
 
=== Public Frameworks ===
  
=== Public Frameworks ===
 
All public frameworks can be found inside <tt>[[/System/Library/Frameworks]]</tt>.
  
All public frameworks can be found inside <tt>[[/System/Library/Frameworks]]</tt>.
Line 8: Line 9:
 
* [http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/Miscellaneous/Conceptual/iPhoneOSTechOverview/iPhoneOSFrameworks/iPhoneOSFrameworks.html List of iOS Public Frameworks from Apple].
  
* [http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/Miscellaneous/Conceptual/iPhoneOSTechOverview/iPhoneOSFrameworks/iPhoneOSFrameworks.html List of iOS Public Frameworks from Apple].
 
* [http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/MusicAudio/Conceptual/CoreAudioOverview/CoreAudioFrameworks/CoreAudioFrameworks.html List of frameworks related to CoreAudio].
  
* [http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/MusicAudio/Conceptual/CoreAudioOverview/CoreAudioFrameworks/CoreAudioFrameworks.html List of frameworks related to CoreAudio].
−
=== Private Frameworks ===
  
−
All private frameworks can be found inside <tt>[[/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks]]</tt>. The descriptions may be incorrect, since most frameworks are not documented after all.
  
   
−
== Children ==
  
−
=== iOS 5 Private Frameworks ===
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
  
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
|-
  
|-
 
! Framework
  
! Framework
−
! Description
  
−
|-
  
−
| FaceCoreLight
  
−
| Face recognition.
  
−
|-
  
−
| Internal Preferences
  
−
| Internal Settings.bundle relies on this framework.
  
−
|-
  
−
| FTServices
  
−
| FaceTime / iMessage auth framework.
  
−
|-
  
−
| AXRuntime
  
−
| Accessibility.
  
−
|-
  
−
| GPUSupport
  
−
| Used extensively by the user-mode porion of the PowerVR drivers.
  
−
|-
  
−
| H4ISPServices
  
−
| Interface to the camera driver on H4 (Apple A5)
  
−
|-
  
−
| Twitter
  
−
| Apple's twitter implementation in iOS 5.
  
−
|-
  
−
| OpenCL
  
−
| Apple's implementation of Khronos' OpenCL.
  
−
|-
  
−
| XPCObjects
  
−
| An Objective-C wrapper of the XPC interprocess communication interface.
  
−
|-
  
−
| AppleSerialMultiplexer
  
−
| An interface to the multiplexer daemon.
  
−
|}
  
−  
−
=== Folders ===
  
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
  
−
|-
  
−
! Framework
  
−
| 2.x
  
−
| 3.x
  
 
| 4.x
  
| 4.x
  +
| 5.x
  +
| 6.x
 
! Prefix
  
! Prefix
 
! Language
  
! Language
 
! Description
  
! Description
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Accelerate/Reference/AccelerateFWRef/_index.html Accelerate]
−
| Accelerate
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| cblas, vDSP
−
| --
  
−
| --
 +
| C
  +
| Vector and Matrix math, digital signal processing, large number handling, and image processing
−
| High-performance vector-accelerated libraries [http://developer.apple.com/performance/accelerateframework.html]. Pulls in vecLib, which contains libLAPACK, libBLAS and libvDSP.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Accounts/Reference/AccountsFrameworkRef/_index.html Accounts]
−
| AccessorySupport
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| AS
 +
| AC
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Provides access to accounts in the Accounts database. Allows creation of accounts if none exsist. Only Twitter is avaliable in iOS 5.0 and later.
−
| Probably related to the new accessory API
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/AddressBook/Reference/AddressBook_iPhoneOS_Framework/_index.html AddressBook]
−
| AccountSettings
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| AB
−
| ObjC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Provides access to the Address Book database.
−
| (Mail) accounts managing.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/DeviceInformation/Reference/AdSupport_Framework/_index.html AdSupport]
−
| AccountSettingsUI
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI for managing accounts.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/ActorKit.framework ActorKit]
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| AS
−
| AK
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Provides access to identifiers for serving adverts and a flag that indicates if limited tracking is on.
−
| ObjC
  
−
| [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actor_model Actor model]
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/AssetsLibrary/Reference/AssetsLibraryFramework/_index.html AssetsLibrary]
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/AdminLite.framework AdminLite]
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Unknown. Provides only 2 functions: <tt>AdminLiteNVRAMSet</tt> and <tt>nvram_set</tt>.
  
−
|-
  
−
| AggregateDictionary
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| AL
−
| AD
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Used to access pictures and videos managed by the Photos application.
−
|?
  
−
|
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MusicAudio/Reference/CAAudioTooboxRef/_index.html AudioToolbox]
−
| AOSNotification
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| AU, Audio
−
| AOS
  
−
| C
 +
| --
  +
| Provides interfaces for recording, playback, stream parsing, and managing audio sessions. Part of CoreAudio
−
| MobileMe Sync.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/AudioUnit/Reference/AudioUnit_Framework/_index.html AudioUnit]
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/AppSupport.framework AppSupport]
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| AU, Audio
−
| CP
  
−
| C, ObjC
 +
| --
  +
| Interfaces for the loading of audio units and their use.
−
| Distributed messaging, Phone number formatting, Geographical info, SQLite, etc.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/AVFoundation/Reference/AVFoundationFramework/_index.html AVFoundation]
−
| Apple80211
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| WiFi. On 3.0 the same functionality is provided by the MobileWiFi framework.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/AppleJPEG.framework AppleJPEG]
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| AV
−
| -
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Used for playing and recording audio and video.
−
| C
  
−
| Create CGImage from JPEG.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CFNetwork/Reference/CFNetwork_Framework/_index.html CFNetwork]
−
| ApplePushService
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| APS
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Apple push service. Manages connection to Apple's servers for push notifications.
  
−
|-
  
−
| AppleVXD375Framework
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| CF
−
| -
  
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| Intefaces for high-performance networking.
−
| MPEG-4 hardware related (???)
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MusicAudio/Reference/CACoreAudioReference/_index.html CoreAudio]
−
| AppleWirelessDiagnostics
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
|?
  
−
| Related to the [[iOS Diagnostics]] app?
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/ApplicationScripting.framework ApplicationScripting]
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| Audio
−
| ObjC
 +
| C++
  +
| Declares constants and data-types used by other interfaces in CoreAudio.
−
| Simulator-only framework to allow users to use scripts (e.g. Javascript) to control the applications.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreBluetooth/Reference/CoreBluetooth_Framework/_index.html CoreBluetooth]
−
| ArtworkCache
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Process .artwork files
  
−
|-
  
−
| AssetLibraryServices
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
|?
  
−
|
  
−
|-
  
−
| AXRuntime
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| CB
−
| AX
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Provides access to Bluetooth peripherals (hardware).
−
| C
  
−
| Supports accessibility (VoiceOver, etc.)
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/Reference/CoreData_ObjC/_index.html CoreData]
−
| BluetoothManager
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| NS
−
| ObjC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for application data model manipulation.
−
| Higher-level bluetooth manager using MobileBluetooth.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreFoundation/Reference/CoreFoundation_Collection/_index.html#/ CoreFoundation]
−
| Bom
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| BOM
 +
| CF
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| Basic data management and services
−
| Filesystem and PKZip related (???)
  
−
|-
 +
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreGraphics/Reference/CoreGraphics_Framework/_index.html CoreGraphics]
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/Calculate.framework Calculate]
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| CG
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| APIs to interface with the Quartz engine, allows 2D rendering, etc.
−
| Compute results of mathematical equations (as a C string). See [http://code.google.com/p/undocumented-goodness/source/browse/trunk/UndocumentedGoodness/main.m] for usage.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/CoreImagingRef/_index.html CoreImage]
−
| Calendar
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| Cal
  
−
| C, ObjC
  
−
| Manages the calendar (and events).
  
−
|-
  
−
| CalendarUI
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| CI
−
| -
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for manipulating images and video.
−
| ObjC
  
  +
|-
−
| UI toolkits for the calendar.
  
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreLocation/Reference/CoreLocation_Framework/_index.html CoreLocation]
−
|-
  
−
| Camera
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| CL
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Iterfaces for determining location.
−
| Take and preview photos from camera.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreMedia/Reference/CoreMediaFramework/_index.html CoreMedia]
−
| CaptiveNetwork
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
|?
  
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| Celestial
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| AV, Fig
  
−
| C, ObjC
  
−
| (AV) Audio & video control; (Fig) Recoding, photo, video capturing and post-processing.
  
−
|-
  
−
| CertUI
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
|?
  
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/ChatKit.framework ChatKit]
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| CK
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for SMS and MMS messages.
  
−
|-
  
−
| Conference
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|?
  
−
| FaceTime?
  
−
|-
  
−
| ContentIndex
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| CX
 +
| CM
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| Low-level routines for manipulating audio and video.
−
| Document processing (???)
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MusicAudio/Reference/CACoreMIDIRef/_index.html CoreMIDI]
−
| CoreDAV
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
|?
  
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| CoreMedia
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| MIDI
−
| CM, Fig
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Routines for handling MIDI data. Only avaliable on iOS 4.2 and later. Part of Core Audio.
−
| C
  
−
| ?
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreMotion/Reference/CoreMotion_Reference/_index.html CoreMotion]
−
| CoreSurface
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| CM
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C, C++
  +
| Iterfaces for accessing acceleromtere and gyrometric data.
−
| Direct read/write of screen buffer.
 
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/NetworkingInternet/Reference/CoreTelephonyFrameworkReference/_index.html CoreTelephony]
−
| CoreTelephony
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| CT, VM, Mms
  
−
| C, C++ (for Mms)
  
−
| Telephone services, Voice mailbox, MMS.
  
−
|-
  
−
| CoreTelephonyBypass
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| CoreText
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| CT
  
| CT
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Allows access to Carrier information and information pertaining to a current call.
−
| Advanced font management. Public as of 3.2.
  
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/StringsTextFonts/Conceptual/CoreText_Programming/Introduction/Introduction.html CoreText]
−
| CoreVideo
  
−
|-
 +
|-
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| CV
  
−
| C
  
−
| Frame-by-frame video processing [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreVideo/CVProg_Intro/CVProg_Intro.html]
  
−
|-
  
−
| CrashReporterSupport
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| CT
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| C++
  +
| Text layout and rendering engine.
−
| CR
  
−
| C
  
−
| Crash reporter support.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/CoreVideo/Reference/CVFrameworkRef/Introduction/Introduction.html CoreVideo]
−
| DataAccess
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| CV
−
| AS, CalDAV, DA
  
−
| ObjC
 +
| --
  +
| Low-level routines for manipulating audio and video - Apple advises not to use this framework directly, and although public doesn't document much of it.
−
| Push mail/calendar support.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/EventKit/Reference/EventKitFrameworkRef/_index.html EventKit]
−
| DataAccessExpress
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| DA
 +
| EK
−
| ObjC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for accessing Calendar event data. This is a replacement for the older Calendar.framework.
−
| Query/search push mails (???).
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/EventKitUI/Reference/EventKitUIFrameworkRef/_index.html EventKitUI]
−
| DataAccessUI
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| DataDetectorsCore
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| DD
 +
| EK
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Classes for system graphical interfaces.
−
| Match form fields to auto-fill fields (e.g. name, zip-code, etc.) or linkable texts (e.g. URL, phone number, etc.)
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/ExternalAccessory/Reference/ExternalAccessoryFrameworkReference/_index.html ExternalAccessory]
−
| DataDetectorsUI
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| DD
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| ?
  
−
|-
  
−
| DataMigration
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| EA
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for communication with attached external accessories via 30-pin dock or BlueTooth, Lightning is not yet mentioned by Apple in documentation.
−
| DM
  
−
| C
  
−
| Migrate data on restoring to updated firmware.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/Reference/Foundation/ObjC_classic/_index.html Foundation]
−
| DAVKit
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| AY, DAV, DK
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| WebDAV support.
  
−
|-
  
−
| DeviceToDeviceManager
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| NS
−
| D2D
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Objetive-C wrappers to features found in CoreFoundation with extra features and functionality not covered by Objetive-C
−
| C
  
−
| Device-to-device manager.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/GameKit/Reference/GameKit_Collection/_index.html GameKit]
−
| EAP8021X
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| EAP
 +
| GK
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Manages P2P connectivity. With iOS 4.1 and later, GameKit can be used with Game Center (an extension to the framework) to create social games.
−
| Extensible Authentication Protocol for wireless network [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.1X]
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/GLkit/Reference/GLKit_Collection/_index.html GLKit]
−
| GameKitServices
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
| For Game Center.
  
−
|-
  
−
| GeoServices
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
+
| GLK
−
|
+
| Obj-C
  +
| Utility classes for building OpenGL ES applications.
−
|
  
−
|-
  
−
| GMM
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| GMM
  
−
| ObjC, C++
  
−
| Google Mobile Maps.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/GraphicsServices.framework GraphicsServices]
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| GS
  
−
| C
  
−
| Event handling, capability check, colors and fonts, etc.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| GSS.framework
−
| H2ISPServices
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| gss
−
| C++
 +
| --
  +
| Security related services - Apple advises to look at the headers as they provide no documentation.
−
| Camera related.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/UserExperience/Reference/iAd_ReferenceCollection/_index.html iAD]
−
| H3ISPServices
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| IAP
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| AD
−
| IAP
 +
| Obj-c
  +
| Classes for displaying advertisements
−
| C
  
−
| Manages accessory connections.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/ImageIORefCollection/_index.html ImageIO]
−
| iCalendar
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ICS
  
−
| ObjC, C++
  
−
| iCalendar support.
  
−
|-
  
−
| Image Capture
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/ImageIO.framework ImageIO]
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| CG
  
| CG
−
| C
 +
| C++
  +
| Input and output for images. Part of CoreGraphics
−
| Read/write images for common image formats. [http://developer.apple.com/graphicsimaging/workingwithimageio.html]
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| IOKit
−
| IMAVCore
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| IMCore
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| IOMobileFramebuffer
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| --
  +
| C++
  +
| Low-level framework for communicating with the kernal and hardware. Apple advises not to use this framework directly and will reject it from the AppStore.
  +
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MapKit/Reference/MapKit_Framework_Reference/_index.html MapKit]
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Framebuffer access.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/IOSurface.framework IOSurface]
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Lower level interface of CoreSurface.
  
−
|-
  
−
| ITSync
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| iTunes Sync.
  
−
|-
  
−
| iTunesStore
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| IS
  
−
| C, ObjC
  
−
| iTunes Music Store support.
  
−
|-
  
−
| iTunesStoreUI
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| SU
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for iTunes Music Store.
  
−
|-
  
−
| iWorkImport
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Convert iWork documents to HTML.
  
−
|-
  
−
| JavaScriptCore
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| JS, WTF
  
−
| C, C++
  
−
| WebKit's Javascript interpreter. Source code available in [http://opensource.apple.com/source/JavaScriptCore/JavaScriptCore-521/].
  
−
|-
  
−
| JSON
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| LDAP
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ber, ldap
  
−
| C
  
−
| Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
  
−
|-
  
−
| ManagedConfiguration
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| MC
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Manager for .MobileConfig profiles.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MapKit
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| MK
  
| MK
−
| ObjC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Classes for embedding Map graphical interfaces. Pre iOS 5.1 Google Mobile Maps is used to provide map data, post iOS 5.1 Apple provides the map data.
−
| Objective-C Wrapper and UI toolkit for maps. It becomes a [http://developer.apple.com/iPhone/library/navigation/Frameworks/CocoaTouch/MapKit/index.html public framework] in 3.0.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MediaPlayer/Reference/MediaPlayer_Framework/_index.html MediaPlayer]
−
| MapSupport
 
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| MBX2D
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| MP
−
| mbx
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Provides facilities to play audio, and video. Also allows access to the iPod or 'Music' library.
−
| C
  
−
| 2D (and a little 3D) image operations (blending, affine transform, etc.) on the GPU.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MBXConnect
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| mbx
  
−
| C
  
−
| Send commands to GPU. This framework is merged into MBX2D in 3.0.
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| MediaToolbox
  
| MediaToolbox
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| Fig
  
−
| C
  
−
| Manages media file formats.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/Message.framework Message]
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Manages emails.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MessageUI
 
−
| {{yes}}
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for composing emails. It becomes a public framework in 3.0.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MessageUtilities
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
 +
| MT
−
| {{no}}
 +
| C++
  +
| Apple has no reference as of writing, headers appear to suggest audio processing.
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| String utilities for email parsing. It is merged with the new framework "MIME" in 3.0.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MessageUI/Reference/MessageUI_Framework_Reference/_index.html MessageUI]
−
| MIME
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| MIME encoder/decoder. This was split from the Message framwork from 2.x.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MobileBluetooth
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| MF
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for SMS and Mail compose view controller without leaving the application.
−
| BT
  
−
| C
  
−
| Manages bluetooth connections.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/miscellaneous/Reference/UTIRef/Articles/System-DeclaredUniformTypeIdentifiers.html MobileCoreServices]
−
| MobileDeviceLink
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| DL
 +
| UT
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| Defines UTIs supported by the system.
−
| Send and receive file on device, with encryption support.
  
−
|-
 +
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/StoreKit/Reference/NewsstandKit_Framework/_index.html NewsstandKit]
−
| MobileIcons
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| MobileInstallation
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Install apps.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MobileKeyBag
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| MobileMusicPlayer
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| PC, _MPlayer
  
−
| C
  
−
| Read and set properties about the global music player (current song, is Genius enabled, etc.).
  
−
|-
  
−
| MobileQuickLook
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| QL
  
−
| C
  
−
| View attachments.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MobileSoftwareUpdate
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| NK
−
|
+
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for downloading Newsstand application content.
−
|
 
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://www.openal.org/ OpenAL]
−
| MobileSync
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
 +
| AL
−
| C
 +
| C++
  +
| Interface for the cross-platform audio library
−
| Sync calendars, bookmarks, mail accounts, notes and contacts with computer.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/OpenGLES/Reference/OpenGLES_Framework/_index.html OpenGLES]
−
| MobileWiFi
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Obtain WiFi info, e.g. WEP/WPA, SSID, power output etc.
 
−
|-
  
−
| MobileWirelessSync
  
−
| {{partial|≥2.1}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| EAGL, GL
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| MWS
  
 
| C
  
| C
  +
| Interface for the OpenGL ES library.
−
| Sync calendars, bookmarks, notes and contacts with Mobile Me.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MultitouchSupport
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| MT
  
−
| C
  
−
| Multitouch support, e.g. pressure, proximity and path detection.
  
−
|-
  
−
| MusicLibrary
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ML
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Access music library and photo album.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/userexperience/Reference/PassKit_Framework/_index.html PassKit]
−
| MusicLibraryDDB
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC, C++
  
−
| Looks similar to MusicLibrary, yet they are independent frameworks...
  
−
|-
  
−
| Notes
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| PK
−
| -
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for creation of Passes for Passbook.app.
−
| C
  
−
| Read/write notes. It is split off from the Notes.app in 3.0 to support Spotlight.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/QuartzCoreRefCollection/index.html QuartzCore]
−
| OfficeImport
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| OI
 +
| CA
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Contains the CoreAntimation interfaces
−
| Convert Microsoft Office documents into HTML.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/QuickLook/Reference/QuickLookFrameworkReference_iPhoneOS/_index.html QuickLook]
−
| PersistentConnection
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| PC
 +
| QL
−
| C
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for previewing files of formats you don't handle.
−
| Maintain a persistent connection with another server. It also deals with power managements for this purpose.
  
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Security/Reference/SecurityFrameworkReference/_index.html Security]
−
| PhotoLibrary
  
−
|-
 +
|-
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
  +
| CSSM, Sec
−
| PL
  
−
| ObjC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfactes for managing keys, trust policies, and certificates.
−
| UI toolkit for the photo album, video list, the camera view and media publishing.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Social/Reference/Social_Framework/_index.html Social]
−
| PhotoLibraryServices
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| PortableStorage
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/Preferences.framework Preferences]
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| PS
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Supports custom preference bundles.
  
−
|-
  
−
| PrintKit
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| {{partial|≥4.2}}
  
−
| PK
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| The basis for the AirPrint feature.
  
−
|-
  
−
| ProofReader
  
−
| ?
  
−
| ?
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
|
+
| SL
−
|
+
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for interacting with social accounts. Currently they are Facebook, Twitter, and Sina Weibo.
−
| Spellcheck and AutoCorrect
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/StoreKit/Reference/StoreKit_Collection/_index.html StoreKit]
−
| ProtocolBuffer
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| PB
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Provides support for Protocol Buffers. [http://code.google.com/intl/iw/apis/protocolbuffers/]
  
−
|-
  
−
| ScreenReaderCore
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
 +
| SK
−
| SCRC
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for handling the transactions in in-app purchases.
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Screen reader (read text at finger position).
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Networking/Reference/SysConfig/_index.html SystemConfiguration]
−
| Search
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
  
−
| SP
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Spotlight support.
  
−
|-
  
−
| SMSCTServer
  
−
| {{no}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
 +
| {{yes}}
−
| SMS
 +
| SC
−
| ObjC
 +
| C++
  +
| Iterfaces for determining network avaliablity.
−
| Server to receive and interpret SMS.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Twitter/Reference/TwitterFrameworkReference/_index.html Twitter]
−
| SportsTrainer
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
  
−
| ST
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for Nike+iPod workouts.
  
−
|-
  
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/SpringBoardServices.framework SpringBoardServices]
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| TW
−
| ?
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Interfaces for sending tweets. In iOS 6.0 and later this should be replaced by Social.framework as it will eventually be depricated.
−
| SB, SBS
  
−
| C
  
−
| Provides Mach port and convenient functions for apps to communicate with the SpringBoard. Content includes get/set app properties, get/set watchdog assertions, get accelerometer events and UI orientation, get/set status bar appearance, and send/receive push notifications.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| [http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/UIKit/Reference/UIKit_Framework/_index.html UIKit]
−
| [http://iphonedevwiki.net/index.php/SpringBoardUI.framework SpringBoardUI]
  
−
| {{partial|≥2.1}}
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Supports SBAwayView plugins (lock screen widgets).
  
−
|-
  
−
| Symbolication
  
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| ?
 +
| UI
−
| VMU
 +
| Obj-C
  +
| Classes for iOS UI elements and for the user interface layer of applciations.
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Analyze Mach-O executables, task sampling, memory view.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| VideoToolbox
−
| TelephonyUI
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ?
  
−
| TP
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for telephone system.
  
−
|-
  
−
| TextInput
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| UI, KB
  
−
| ObjC, C++
  
−
| Keyboard input managers. This framework is split from UIKit from 2.x.
  
−
|-
  
−
| UIAccessibility
  
 
| {{no}}
  
| {{no}}
 
| {{yes}}
  
| {{yes}}
−
| {{yes}}
 +
| --
−
| -
 +
| --
  +
| Interfaces used by the device. Apple states not to include this framework directly.
−
| ObjC
  
  +
|}
−
| Accessibility server.
 
  +
  +
=== Private Frameworks ===
  +
All private frameworks can be found inside <tt>[[/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks]]</tt>. The descriptions may be incorrect, since most frameworks are not documented after all.
  +
  +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Framework
−
| URLify
  
  +
! Description
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| CP
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Match URL in a string. Replaced by data detectors in 3.0.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| FaceCoreLight
−
| VideoToolbox
  
  +
| Face recognition.
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ?
  
−
| VT
  
−
| C
  
−
| Video compression/decompression, encoding/decoding for H.264 and MP4 Video.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| Internal Preferences
−
| VisualVoicemail
  
  +
| Internal Settings.bundle relies on this framework.
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ?
  
−
| VV
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Supports visual voicemail.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| FTServices
−
| VoiceMemos
  
  +
| FaceTime / iMessage auth framework.
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| ?
  
−
| RC
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| UI toolkit for recording voice memos.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| AXRuntime
−
| VoiceServices
  
  +
| Accessibility.
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| VS
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Voice recognition and text to speech.
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| GPUSupport
−
| WebCore
  
  +
| Used extensively by the user-mode porion of the PowerVR drivers.
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| DOM, WAK, WK
  
−
| ObjC, C++
  
−
| WebKit's Rendering engine. Source code available in [http://opensource.apple.com/source/WebCore/WebCore-514/].
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| H4ISPServices
−
| WebKit
  
  +
| Interface to the camera driver on H4 (Apple A5)
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| Web
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| WebKit. UI toolkit to show a web page.
  
 
|-
  
|-
−
| WebUI
 +
| Twitter
  +
| Apple's twitter implementation in iOS 5.
−
| {{no}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| -
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| Addition UI for Web views, e.g. Authentication view, certificate view, etc.
  
 
|-
  
|-
−
| XMPP
 +
| OpenCL
  +
| Apple's implementation of Khronos' OpenCL.
−
| {{yes}}
  
  +
|-
−
| {{yes}}
  
  +
| XPCObjects
−
| {{no}}
  
  +
| An Objective-C wrapper of the XPC interprocess communication interface.
−
| -
  
−
| C
  
−
| Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP / Jabber).
  
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| AppleSerialMultiplexer
−
| YouTube
  
  +
| An interface to the multiplexer daemon.
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| {{yes}}
  
−
| YT
  
−
| ObjC
  
−
| YouTube support.
 
 
|}
  
|}
  +
 
=== Files ===
  
=== Files ===
 
* (none)
  
* (none)

Revision as of 23:44, 22 March 2013

Summary

Frameworks are folders each containing a dynamic library and resources for that, library such as images and localization strings. All frameworks have the file extension .framework.

On the iOS there are 2 kinds of frameworks: public frameworks and private frameworks. Public frameworks are those ones endorsed by Apple and are allowed to be used in AppStore apps. Private frameworks are intended to be used only by original apps, and are more unstable against firmware changes, but many of the interesting features are in the private frameworks.

Public Frameworks

All public frameworks can be found inside /System/Library/Frameworks.

Framework 4.x 5.x 6.x Prefix Language Description
Accelerate Yes Yes Yes cblas, vDSP C Vector and Matrix math, digital signal processing, large number handling, and image processing
Accounts No Yes Yes AC Obj-C Provides access to accounts in the Accounts database. Allows creation of accounts if none exsist. Only Twitter is avaliable in iOS 5.0 and later.
AddressBook Yes Yes Yes AB Obj-C Provides access to the Address Book database.
AdSupport No No Yes AS Obj-C Provides access to identifiers for serving adverts and a flag that indicates if limited tracking is on.
AssetsLibrary Yes Yes Yes AL Obj-C Used to access pictures and videos managed by the Photos application.
AudioToolbox Yes Yes Yes AU, Audio -- Provides interfaces for recording, playback, stream parsing, and managing audio sessions. Part of CoreAudio
AudioUnit Yes Yes Yes AU, Audio -- Interfaces for the loading of audio units and their use.
AVFoundation Yes Yes Yes AV Obj-C Used for playing and recording audio and video.
CFNetwork Yes Yes Yes CF C Intefaces for high-performance networking.
CoreAudio Yes Yes Yes Audio C++ Declares constants and data-types used by other interfaces in CoreAudio.
CoreBluetooth No Yes Yes CB Obj-C Provides access to Bluetooth peripherals (hardware).
CoreData Yes Yes Yes NS Obj-C Interfaces for application data model manipulation.
CoreFoundation Yes Yes Yes CF C Basic data management and services
CoreGraphics Yes Yes Yes CG C APIs to interface with the Quartz engine, allows 2D rendering, etc.
CoreImage No Yes Yes CI Obj-C Interfaces for manipulating images and video.
CoreLocation Yes Yes Yes CL Obj-C Iterfaces for determining location.
CoreMedia Yes Yes Yes CM C Low-level routines for manipulating audio and video.
CoreMIDI Yes Yes Yes MIDI Obj-C Routines for handling MIDI data. Only avaliable on iOS 4.2 and later. Part of Core Audio.
CoreMotion Yes Yes Yes CM Obj-C, C++ Iterfaces for accessing acceleromtere and gyrometric data.
CoreTelephony Yes Yes Yes CT Obj-C Allows access to Carrier information and information pertaining to a current call.
CoreText Yes Yes Yes CT C++ Text layout and rendering engine.
CoreVideo Yes Yes Yes CV -- Low-level routines for manipulating audio and video - Apple advises not to use this framework directly, and although public doesn't document much of it.
EventKit Yes Yes Yes EK Obj-C Interfaces for accessing Calendar event data. This is a replacement for the older Calendar.framework.
EventKitUI Yes Yes Yes EK Obj-C Classes for system graphical interfaces.
ExternalAccessory Yes Yes Yes EA Obj-C Interfaces for communication with attached external accessories via 30-pin dock or BlueTooth, Lightning is not yet mentioned by Apple in documentation.
Foundation Yes Yes Yes NS Obj-C Objetive-C wrappers to features found in CoreFoundation with extra features and functionality not covered by Objetive-C
GameKit Yes Yes Yes GK Obj-C Manages P2P connectivity. With iOS 4.1 and later, GameKit can be used with Game Center (an extension to the framework) to create social games.
GLKit No Yes Yes GLK Obj-C Utility classes for building OpenGL ES applications.
GSS.framework No Yes Yes gss -- Security related services - Apple advises to look at the headers as they provide no documentation.
iAD Yes Yes Yes AD Obj-c Classes for displaying advertisements
ImageIO Yes Yes Yes CG C++ Input and output for images. Part of CoreGraphics
IOKit Yes Yes Yes -- C++ Low-level framework for communicating with the kernal and hardware. Apple advises not to use this framework directly and will reject it from the AppStore.
MapKit Yes Yes Yes MK Obj-C Classes for embedding Map graphical interfaces. Pre iOS 5.1 Google Mobile Maps is used to provide map data, post iOS 5.1 Apple provides the map data.
MediaPlayer Yes Yes Yes MP Obj-C Provides facilities to play audio, and video. Also allows access to the iPod or 'Music' library.
MediaToolbox No No Yes MT C++ Apple has no reference as of writing, headers appear to suggest audio processing.
MessageUI Yes Yes Yes MF Obj-C Interfaces for SMS and Mail compose view controller without leaving the application.
MobileCoreServices Yes Yes Yes UT C Defines UTIs supported by the system.
NewsstandKit No Yes Yes NK Obj-C Interfaces for downloading Newsstand application content.
OpenAL Yes Yes Yes AL C++ Interface for the cross-platform audio library
OpenGLES Yes Yes Yes EAGL, GL C Interface for the OpenGL ES library.
PassKit No No Yes PK Obj-C Interfaces for creation of Passes for Passbook.app.
QuartzCore Yes Yes Yes CA Obj-C Contains the CoreAntimation interfaces
QuickLook Yes Yes Yes QL Obj-C Interfaces for previewing files of formats you don't handle.
Security Yes Yes Yes CSSM, Sec Obj-C Interfactes for managing keys, trust policies, and certificates.
Social No No Yes SL Obj-C Interfaces for interacting with social accounts. Currently they are Facebook, Twitter, and Sina Weibo.
StoreKit Yes Yes Yes SK Obj-C Interfaces for handling the transactions in in-app purchases.
SystemConfiguration Yes Yes Yes SC C++ Iterfaces for determining network avaliablity.
Twitter No Yes Yes TW Obj-C Interfaces for sending tweets. In iOS 6.0 and later this should be replaced by Social.framework as it will eventually be depricated.
UIKit Yes Yes Yes UI Obj-C Classes for iOS UI elements and for the user interface layer of applciations.
VideoToolbox No No Yes -- -- Interfaces used by the device. Apple states not to include this framework directly.

Private Frameworks

All private frameworks can be found inside /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks. The descriptions may be incorrect, since most frameworks are not documented after all.

Framework Description
FaceCoreLight Face recognition.
Internal Preferences Internal Settings.bundle relies on this framework.
FTServices FaceTime / iMessage auth framework.
AXRuntime Accessibility.
GPUSupport Used extensively by the user-mode porion of the PowerVR drivers.
H4ISPServices Interface to the camera driver on H4 (Apple A5)
Twitter Apple's twitter implementation in iOS 5.
OpenCL Apple's implementation of Khronos' OpenCL.
XPCObjects An Objective-C wrapper of the XPC interprocess communication interface.
AppleSerialMultiplexer An interface to the multiplexer daemon.

Files

  • (none)

Parents

Root/System/Library

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