How to use the command 'system_profiler' (with examples)

The system_profiler command is a powerful tool available on macOS that provides detailed information about the system’s hardware and software configuration. It is useful for quickly accessing system specifications, diagnosing issues, or when detailed insights into the system setup are required. The command outputs this information in a structured format, which can be tailored according to specific needs. Below are several use cases demonstrating how to use this command effectively.

Use case 1: Displaying a report with a specific detail level

Code:

system_profiler -detailLevel full

Motivation:

Users may need to generate system overview reports for various reasons, from system audits to troubleshooting. Depending on the need, these reports can vary from minimal information (without any personal data) to comprehensive details. Choosing an appropriate level ensures that the information is both sufficient and secure.

Explanation:

• -detailLevel: This flag specifies the detail level of the report. The options are:
  • mini: Provides minimal information, excluding personal details.
  • basic: Offers a balance of essential details.
  • full: Gives a comprehensive overview encompassing extensive hardware and software details.

Example output:

Hardware:
    Model Name: MacBook Pro
    Model Identifier: MacBookPro17,1
    Processor Name: Apple M1
    Total Number of Cores: 8
    Memory: 16 GB
    ...
Software:
    System Version: macOS 11.2.3 (20D91)
    Kernel Version: Darwin 20.3.0
    ...

Use case 2: Displaying a full system profiler report in XML format

Code:

system_profiler -xml > MyReport.spx

Motivation:

This use case is particularly beneficial for those who may want to analyze the report later or share it with others who manage system configurations. Saving the report in XML format allows easy parsing and integration with other data analysis tools.

Explanation:

• -xml: Outputs the report in XML format, making it structured and parsable.
• >: Redirects the output to a file rather than displaying it on the terminal.
• MyReport.spx: The filename where the output is saved. The .spx extension indicates a system profile report.

Example output:

The output is an XML file containing the hierarchical structure of system details, which can be lengthy and complex but precise for data processing applications.

Use case 3: Displaying a hardware and software overview

Code:

system_profiler SPHardwareDataType SPSoftwareDataType

Motivation:

Sometimes, users might need to acquire a quick glance at core hardware and software details without delving into a full report. This can be quite useful for quick system checks or when a specific hardware component’s status and software version need verification.

Explanation:

• SPHardwareDataType: Requests the command to return information specific to the hardware, such as model, CPU, memory, and serial number.
• SPSoftwareDataType: Requests information about the software, like system version, kernel version, computer name, and system uptime.

Example output:

Hardware Overview:
    Model Name: MacBook Pro
    CPU: ...
    Memory: ...
    Serial Number: ...
Software Overview:
    System Version: macOS 11.2.3
    Kernel Version: Darwin 20.3.0
    ...

Use case 4: Printing the system serial number

Code:

system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Serial Number (system)" | awk '{ print $4 }'

Motivation:

Finding the serial number is often necessary for support cases, warranty checks, and record-keeping. This command efficiently extracts this specific piece of information from the hardware overview.

Explanation:

• SPHardwareDataType: Extracts the hardware details.
• |: Pipes the output of one command as the input to another.
• grep "Serial Number (system)": Searches the output for the line containing the system serial number.
• awk '{ print $4 }': Processes the line and outputs the fourth field, which corresponds to the actual serial number.

Example output:

W123XYZ45678

Conclusion:

The system_profiler command offers versatile options for accessing detailed information about your Mac’s system configuration, from basic reports suitable for all users to in-depth data for advanced analysis. Being adept at using its various options can significantly aid in system diagnostics, performance assessments, and general user support tasks.