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

Question

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

With the new apt command, simply enter apt show packagename to get details about a package. — Paul Rougieux, Sep 07 '17 at 13:11

score 273 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 10 '19 at 15:18

273

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

edited Jul 10 '19 at 15:18

Paolo Rovelli

answered Sep 04 '13 at 08:34

Radu Rădeanu

Excellent answer that covers old and recent ways of get data from a package. – EsmaeelE Nov 14 '21 at 12:01

kiri · Answer 2 · 2014-02-08T08:03:24.147

37

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

apt-cache show PACKAGE

edited Feb 08 '14 at 08:03

answered Sep 04 '13 at 08:33

kiri

rubo77 · Answer 3 · 2019-06-07T15:35:28.477

8

apt show

Or for more details

apt show -a

This will show only the description:

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

edited Jun 07 '19 at 15:35

answered Jun 04 '19 at 02:47

rubo77

3 Answers3