If software platforms are habitats, the Mac OS X platform is
surely the jungle. Mac OS X is a modern Unix-based operating
system that combines the classic Unix/X11 environment, a modern
Java toolset and runtime, the classic Mac OS Carbon framework,
and the NextStep-derivative Cocoa framework in an elegant and
user-friendly operating environment. This diversity of strongly
supported programming options, combined with Apple’s modern
hardware and operating system, presents developers and users
with a compelling platform for producing and using software
packages. The continued success of the Macintosh platform is due
in no small part to the different ways that developers from
other environments can apply knowledge and experience from other
platforms to produce Mac OS X applications The continued success
of the Macintosh platform is due in no small part to the
different ways that developers from other environments can apply
knowledge and experience from other platforms to produce Mac OS
X applications. These diffe