What is AVX/AVX2?
An enhaced command set what Xeon CPUs in Mac Pro 1,1 to 6,1 does not have. Mac OS newer than Monterey is compiled with AVX/AVX2 switched on. Also many Apps from that era, on. So knowing, if an App or component contains this code is useful.
The tool disassembles the executables and scans for AVX/AVX2 command strings, it needs installing the command line tools.
There will be a dialog, asking for this install, if you run the script the first time.
Don't mind, if installing the tools will tell, it takes an insane (days) amount of time. This is pretty normal and goes back to a an hour or so.
Tested with Massive X, -c argument is optional for counting the commands, what is much slower:
% ~/Downloads/avx2 /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 -c Macschrauber's AVX/AVX2 Scanner 16-1-2025 F Scanning directory: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Massive X.vst3/ Executable with 6037 AVX and AVX2 commands: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Massive X.vst3/Contents/PkgInfoMacOS/Massive X AVX and AVX2 code found.
If copied to /Downloads, prepare the bash script:
xattr -c ~/Downloads/avx2
chmod +x ~/Downloads/avx2
and run the bash script with (Preview as an example):
~/Downloads/avx2 /System/Applications/Preview.app
The script will need some time, as it disassembles a lot of code.
Also the same bash script, wrapped in a simple AppleScript, for those who prefer a GUI to select what to scan.
