GetFileInfo executeable - possible to get it without Xcode?

topceres · Sep 23, 2014

Dear all

For a terminal project/script I need the features of getting the file creator from the files on a mac. The executeable that comes with Xcode (free) "GetFileInfo" will do that as I have understood. However, I need only that and not the rest of Xcode (2,5GB download) - and I'm presently on a very limited 3G connection. Does anyone know ... would it in any way be possible to get/download only the GetFileInfo executeable (can anyone grab it from their installation and put it somewhere for me :Mischievous:

)? OR would there be any other way to do this from Terminal without installing GetFileInfo?

Thanks in advance

ron4mac · Sep 23, 2014

pipe 'ls -l'

cradom · Sep 23, 2014

Pipe it through what?

ron4mac · Sep 23, 2014

cradom said:
Pipe it through what?

Through whatever "terminal project/script" the OP is working on.

cradom · Sep 23, 2014

ls with any switch will not give file creator. He may be stuck downloading Xcode.

ron4mac · Sep 23, 2014

OMG! Are we talking about the old 4 character creator code here? I guess I was assuming the OP was talking about the file owner.

An osascript might be able to access the creator code.

Other than that, as cradom said, you'll have to install the developer tools.
Should be a small download. See this article: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/install-command-line-developer-tools-in-os-x/

topceres · Sep 24, 2014

Yep, some very old files here, some back to mid-90's!

Thanks, probably a good solution but couldn't make it work, my terminal didn't offer to download/install when typing "make" as suggested in the post - just says "make: command not found".

BUT - someone else told me of this little build in function that will give me the creator code:
mdls -name kMDItemFSCreatorCode "[filename]".

cradom · Sep 25, 2014

What OS are you running? Typing 'make' may not work.
From another site:
On earlier versions of Mac OS X, it was more difficult to install Xcode Command Line Tools.
It required a huge download of the full Xcode package from the Mac App Store or registration as an Apple developer for a smaller Command Line Tools package.
Mac OS X Mavericks makes installation of Xcode Command Line Tools much simpler.