How do I know which package is which?

[Jonathan McLoughlin]

apt-cache search <package> to get a list of packages that match your 
search parameter

What returns here is what you refer to <what-to-say>

To get a description of that package apt-cache show .......


Soo-Hyun Choi wrote:

>For example, if I would like to install GNU Plot, how do I know to
>which I need to type when I do "sudo apt-get install <what-to-say>"?
>
>Let say, how do I see all of the package lists which can be installed
>by 'apt-get'? I've looked up Synaptic but seems it doesn't say
>everything.
>
>Thank you.
>Soo-Hyun
>
>  
>