dpkg equivalent command-line command wanted

[Tom H]

>>> Clicking Synaptic > mark a certain package name > Package > Lock Version
>>> corresponds to what command-line command in dpkg?

>> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PinningHowto#Apt/Dpkg

> This does not work:
> [Lucid Beta1]
> 1.) In Synaptic I had pressed Search (> Find)  Search:=kexi >
> Search > kexi > Package > 'Lock Version'.
> 3 days ago '~$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade' did not touch my package kexi.
> But yesterday the same command deleted kexi. Why did it not leave my
> package untouched?
> 2.) '~$ dpkg -l kexi; ii kexi.' The command '~$ echo "kexi hold"|dpkg
> --set-selections' does not change the package selection state of kexi to
> hold: '~$ dpkg -l kexi; ii kexi.'
> Why does your advice not work?

root at lucid:~# aptitude search ssh | grep ^i
i   openssh-client...
i   openssh-server...
i   ssh-askpass-gnome...

root at lucid:~# echo "ssh-askpass-gnome hold" | dpkg --set-selections

root at lucid:~# dpkg --get-selections | grep ssh
openssh-client                                  install
openssh-server                                  install
ssh-askpass-gnome                               hold

root at lucid:~# dpkg -l ssh-askpass-gnome
...
hi  ssh-askpass-gnome       1:5.3p1-3ubuntu3...

root at lucid:~# aptitude search ssh | grep ^i
i   openssh-client...
i   openssh-server...
ih  ssh-askpass-gnome...