OS X Version From Command Line

[jæd]

Hi,

How can I get the OS X version from the command line...?

I know how to get the Kernel Version via Uname, but not the OS X version...

Thanks...!

[bramley]

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?t=18697

[guardian34]

Try this…
system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType

Edit: Didn't know that one bramley, thanks for the link.

Edit: If you want to, you can get it down to just the version numbers.
sw_vers | grep 'ProductVersion:' | grep -o '[0-9]*\.[0-9]*\.[0-9]*'

[jæd]

Thanks guys...! :)

[tlarkin]

wow in this reguard os x is very different from linux, that is why i was hesitant to respond until after i had looked it up, but didnt have time.

[dmacks]

The usual "uname" is still present, but (as usual) that gives kernel info (something like "darwin 8.4.0"). Vendor/distribution system info is always a vendor/distribution-specific thing: need the OS X way for OS X, probably some rpm command tells you your redhat version info, etc.

[guardian34]

I think the kernel version numbers coincide with the OS X version number (e.g. 10.4.7 has 8.7.0, and 10.5.1 will likely have 9.1.0). I wouldn't depend on the number though, if I didn't have to. Also, if you're going to compare to an OS X number, it's easier to just get it that way (e.g. Use that second script I mentioned to see if the version is ≥ 10.4.3).

[tlarkin]

I think it would be easier to just go to apple menu > about this mac unless you already are working in the terminal

[ElectricSheep]

I think it would be easier to just go to apple menu > about this mac unless you already are working in the terminal

Which is the fine and dandy obvious solution, unless you are working through a remote session via ssh or are writing a non-applescript script.

[tlarkin]

ya, i had mentioned already working in the terminal.

[guardian34]

tlarkin, there's a high chance of terminal usage in this particular forum. ;)

[voldenuit]

I don't quite get the point of this thread after guardians solution:

sw_vers | grep 'ProductVersion:' | grep -o '[0-9]*\.[0-9]*\.[0-9]*'

That should solve the problem even for hard-core shell-scripters.

[jpclark49]

For anyone who finds this in the "modern" era, try:
sw_vers -productVersion
It'll give you the number without doing any grep.

[gerardw]

Thanks for the update -- needed to do this today.

[renaultssoftware]

Try osascript -e 'system version of (system info)'

[Hal Itosis]

Try osascript -e 'system version of (system info)'
Yeah that "works"... about *30* times slower:

$ time sw_vers -productVersion; echo; time osascript -e 'system version of (system info)'
10.5.8

real 0m0.027s
user 0m0.010s
sys 0m0.010s

10.5.8

real 0m1.029s
user 0m0.206s
sys 0m0.058s

Use osascript only when advantageous or necessary.

[fluerty09]

you could envoke putty from its command line or simply write your own program to remotely execute commands.

[Hal Itosis]

you could envoke putty from its command line or simply write your own program to remotely execute commands.

$ type -a putty
-bash: type: putty: not found
$ man putty
No manual entry for putty
$ Ach du lieber
-bash: Ach: command not found

:cool: