A The Finder identifies your application through its signature, a unique four-character sequence. Registering your creator code with Apple helps ensure that it is unique and will not conflict with the signature of any other application.

A You should register your codes with Apple as early as possible. Some developers have waited until the application is done and ready to go to manufacturing only to find out the code they have selected is in use, requiring them to select a new creator code and make changes to their application at the last minute.

A No. All developers should register their creator code information with Apple to ensure that it is unique.

A Please list only one product and the associated creator code(s) per form. If you are requesting unique creators for more than one software application, submit one form for each product. Please note, in most cases we register only one creator code per product. Also note that Apple no longer tracks resource or file types.

A You will be informed immediately on our on-line registration form if the code you request is already assigned. Remember, before filling out the form, you may use our search form to search the creator database to see if the code you are requesting has already been assigned.

A Apple reserves all creator codes consisting of entirely lower case letters. And of course, any creator type already in use cannot be used by another developer.

A No, unfortunately, Apple does not permit the registration of ranges.

A Apple no longer registers file types. When choosing your own file types you should follow the same guidelines as for creator codes - your file type must each contain at least one uppercase character.

A Apple no longer registers icons or fonts.

A An electronic mail confirmation will be sent to you within 2-3 business days to the email address specified on your registration form.

A Unfortunately, no. We don't make the information in the creator registration database available. You should be aware, however, that you can use the online search form to search the database to see if a creator code has already been registered.

We do know of a site outside of Apple Computer that has been assembling such a list. You can browse Ilan Szekely's site at http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/5677/tcdbframe.html

A Please see Inside Macintosh:Macintosh Toolbox Essentials, chapter 7, "The Finder Interface" (ISBN 0-201-63243-8). Macintosh Technical Note #36 also is helpful. And of course, we are available to help answer questions at Apple's Developer Support Center (Internet: feedback, Telephone: 408/974-4897).

Last updated: 30-June-1999