Apt-get: how to check version number before installation?

[Derek Broughton]

Padraig wrote:

> On Dec 10, 2007 4:20 PM, Dotan Cohen <dotancohen at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>  How can I check what version of a particular program apt-get will
>  install,
>> before I
>> install it.
> 
> 
> sudo apt-get search <what you're looking for>

apt-cache policy <package>

is better.  It tells you exactly which versions are available at every
repository in your sources.  It also helps explain why you're getting the
wrong versions if you use apt pinning! E.G. (bella is my local cache -
created with apt-move; /var/lib/dpkg/status should always be the currently
installed version):

$ apt-cache policy firefox
firefox:
  Installed: 2.0.0.11+2nobinonly-0ubuntu0.7.10
  Candidate: 2.0.0.11+2nobinonly-0ubuntu0.7.10
  Version table:
 *** 2.0.0.11+2nobinonly-0ubuntu0.7.10 0
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com gutsy-updates/main Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     2.0.0.10+2nobinonly-0ubuntu1.7.10.1 0
        500 http://bella feisty/main Packages
     2.0.0.8+2nobinonly-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://bella feisty/main Packages
     2.0.0.6+2nobinonly-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://bella feisty/main Packages
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/main Packages
     2.0.0.6+1-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://bella feisty/main Packages

-- 
derek