Before I install a package, I’d like to know what version I would get.
How do I check the version before installing using apt-get or aptitude on Debian or Ubuntu?
Answers:
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Method 1
apt-get
You can run a simulation to see what would happen if you upgrade/install a package:
apt-get -s install <package>
To see all possible upgrades, run a upgrade in verbose mode and (to be safe) with simulation, press n to cancel:
apt-get -V -s upgrade
apt-cache
The option policy can show the installed and the remote version (install candidate) of a package.
apt-cache policy <package>
apt-show-versions
If installed, shows version information about one or more packages:
apt-show-versions <package>
Passing the -u switch with or without a package name will only show upgradeable packages.
aptitude
The console GUI of aptitude can display upgradeable packages with new versions. Open the menu ‘Upgradable Packages’. Pressing v on a package will show more detailed version information.
Or on the command-line:
aptitude versions <package>
Passing -V will show detailed information about versions, again to be safe with the simulation switch:
aptitude -V -s install <package>
Substituting install <package> with upgrade will show the versions from all upgradeable packages.
Method 2
Another way using dpkg and grep:
dpkg -s <package> | grep Version
Method 3
Another option, if you don’t know the full name of the package, is formatting aptitude’s search output:
aptitude search <package> -F "%c %p %d %V"
%c = status (package installed or not)
%p = package’s name
%d = package’s description
%V = available package’s version
Reference: http://linux.die.net/man/8/aptitude
Method 4
To obtain package name:
apt-cache search *search term*
To get version details:
apt-cache show *packagename*
I believe apt-get and apt-cache are being deprecated, with apt and aptitude becoming the preferred method. Given the longevity of the apt- suite, it’s probably a safe bet for some time to come!
Method 5
You can write apt show <package>
Method 6
$ rmadison gdm3 gdm3 | 2.30.5-6squeeze2 | squeeze-security | i386 gdm3 | 2.30.5-6squeeze5 | squeeze | i386 gdm3 | 3.4.1-8 | wheezy | i386 gdm3 | 3.14.1-7 | jessie | i386 gdm3 | 3.18.0-2 | stretch | i386 gdm3 | 3.18.0-2 | sid | i386
from devscripts.deb
Method 7
To see the latest available package before installing.
Perform update so that you have all the latest package update.
$sudo apt-get update
Now, To check the latest package available in your repository before installing run below command.
$apt-cache show <package name>
Example:
$apt-cache show latexila
or
$apt-cache show npm
All methods was sourced from stackoverflow.com or stackexchange.com, is licensed under cc by-sa 2.5, cc by-sa 3.0 and cc by-sa 4.0