How do I check package version using apt-get / aptitude?

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