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Accepted
kiri
Asked: 2013-09-05 00:27:49 +0800 CST

How do I get details about a package which isn't installed?

  • 772

How can I get some details about a package without installing it, (eg. the description and version number) like in Synaptic or Aptitude. The command 

dpkg -s PACKAGE

does not work, with this error. It works for installed packages, though

dpkg-query: package 'PACKAGE' is not installed and no information is available
apt

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    For packages that are in your repositories you can use:

    dpkg --print-avail PACKAGE_NAME

    or

    apt-cache show PACKAGE_NAME

    or

    aptitude show PACKAGE_NAME

    or

    apt show PACKAGE_NAME
    • 245

  2. The apt-cache show command can be used, instead of dpkg -s. Like this:

    apt-cache show PACKAGE

    (source)

    • 36 
  3. apt show

    Or for more details

    apt show -a

    This will show only the description:

    LANG=C apt show -a "$PKGNAME"|grep Description: -A99
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