system_profiler -xml SPApplicationsDataType > ~/Desktop/SPlist
gives complete listing of all applications found on the Mac, including drivers and anything application related. Output is XML file stored wherever you want it.
typical entry for printer driver. Shouldn't be a problem extracting whatever information you want from it.
<dict>
<key>_name</key>
<string>HP LaserJet 400 M401dn (F739D8)</string>
<key>app_store</key>
<string>no</string>
<key>has64BitIntelCode</key>
<string>yes</string>
<key>lastModified</key>
<date>2012-10-22T03:04:58Z</date>
<key>path</key>
<string>/Users/link/Library/Printers/HP LaserJet 400 M401dn (F739D8).app</string>
<key>runtime_environment</key>
<string>arch_x86</string>
<key>version</key>
<string>8.3</string>
</dict>
disclaimer: I'm not a programmer, I'm more a facilitator who can sometimes find answers for things. I spent 18 years managing a Mac-based publication system and an additional 8 years trying to make sure our OS configurations met DOE requirements.
Remember too that you can pass categories to system_profiler to control what info it returns.
It also can give you your output in XML format.
Josh
--
Josh Wisenbaker
Consulting Engineer - Apple U.S. Commercial and Governmental Sales
update:
The system report is the results of running
>system_profiler
This simple command contains the current status of just about everything system related. The application's reporter files (.spreporter) are found in /System/Library/SystemProfiler. There is a SPApplicationsReporter.spreporter file but the basic operation of running the command system_profiler doesn't appear to run this file while using the GUI does. I'm still looking for more information.
Many of you might want more information on certain files but I suggest looking at the System Profiler to see how much can be found using existing, simple applications.
As for browser plugins, they are normally found in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins making it a simple task to find them.
Excuse me if I'm trying to use the simple way to find things on OSX.
OSX provides a very simple method of displaying all applications using About this Mac/More Info as the front end to a System Report. Just need to figure out how the application finds everything. This also finds all devices including printers.