OSX Static Build

[JanK]

Hello!

Is it possible to built a static Version of ExifTool for Mac OSX?
So there is no need to leave the program at the installation path.
I would like to run the program without any admin rights. What options will I have to do this?

Thanks
Jan

[Phil Harvey]

You don't need to install it to run it. Just download the pure Perl version, extract the files, and run it.

- Phil

[JanK]

Ah Thanks Phil!
I am new in OSX so sometimes I have some mysterious questions Here are some.

OSX Version
When I install the OSX Version some files are copyed to the system folder so the Terminal Function "exiftool" is available from any place and for any User because it is installed in the system.
What files exactly are copyed to which places? Do you have a complete list?
I want to know this because I am interesting in what does software do in the system.

For the OSX Version I have to use Admin rights. Is there an alternative to install it only for the current User? Without any admin rights? So the functionality should be "install without admin rights, accessible from any place via Terminal"
Or can I copy the files to a special place in the user folders so that "exiftool" is accessible from any place via Terminal? I don't know if some folder for a user exist.

Perl Version
I extracted the Perl version and run the exiftool. Terminal opens I can see the documentation. Is it right that when I use this version, every time when I would use exiftool via Terminal I first have to navigate to the place where the Perl Version is copyed too. I think so because the system does not know that there is an "exiftool" comand. Is that right?

Thanks for any help
Jan

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Jan,

What files exactly are copyed to which places? Do you have a complete list?

The complete list is mentioned in the OS X installation instructions:

"Note: Both OS X installation techniques outlined above place exiftool and its lib directory in /usr/bin"

For the OSX Version I have to use Admin rights. Is there an alternative to install it only for the current User? Without any admin rights? So the functionality should be "install without admin rights, accessible from any place via Terminal"
Or can I copy the files to a special place in the user folders so that "exiftool" is accessible from any place via Terminal?

This is mentioned in the Unix installation instructions:

"If you don't have su access, you can run ExifTool in your own account by moving "exiftool" and its "lib" directory to any convienient location, preferably somewhere in your PATH"

I don't know if some folder for a user exist.

I extracted the Perl version and run the exiftool. Terminal opens I can see the documentation. Is it right that when I use this version, every time when I would use exiftool via Terminal I first have to navigate to the place where the Perl Version is copyed too. I think so because the system does not know that there is an "exiftool" comand. Is that right?

No.  You can type the full path to the command if it isn't in your PATH.  (ie. "path/to/exiftool ...")

- Phil

[JanK]

Thanks Phil,

I use the OSX installation. I am afraid of what software do with my computer during a installation script. Now I know that there is only the programm an the lib directory copied. I am relieved to hear what will happen to my Mac and hope nothing more is copied. So as from now I use OSX installation and can use the comand "exiftool" from any place without it's complete path.

Thanks