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 3 Answers
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_NAME1
The apt-cache show command can be used, instead of dpkg -s. Like this:
apt-cache show PACKAGE (source)
apt show Or for more details
apt show -a This will show only the description:
LANG=C apt show -a "$PKGNAME"|grep Description: -A99 
