How to Find Package Versions and Dependencies in Debian 12 Bookworm

Debian 12 Bookworm is a powerful and stable Linux distribution used by many system administrators and developers. Managing software packages efficiently is crucial, especially when dealing with dependencies. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, ensuring compatibility, or simply checking which versions are installed, Debian provides various tools to help.

In this guide, we’ll explore different ways to find package versions and dependencies in Debian 12.

Checking Installed Package Versions

1. Using dpkg

The dpkg command is a fundamental tool for managing Debian packages. To check the installed version of a package, run:

 dpkg -l | grep <package-name>

For example, to check the installed version of nginx:

 dpkg -l | grep nginx

You can also get more detailed information using:

 dpkg -s <package-name>

This will output information like the package version, architecture, and dependencies.

2. Using apt

Another common way to check package versions is with apt, which is the package manager used in Debian.

 apt list --installed | grep <package-name>

Alternatively, you can use:

 apt show <package-name>

This command provides more details about the package, including the installed and available versions.

Finding Available Package Versions

If you want to see what versions of a package are available in the Debian repositories, you can use:

 apt list -a <package-name>

For example:

 apt list -a nginx

This will display all available versions from different repositories.

Finding Package Dependencies

Dependencies are critical in Debian, as packages often rely on others to function properly. Here are some ways to check dependencies:

1. Using apt-cache

The apt-cache command provides information about a package’s dependencies.

 apt-cache depends <package-name>

Example:

 apt-cache depends nginx

This command lists all dependencies and recommended packages.

To check packages that depend on a specific package (reverse dependencies), use:

 apt-cache rdepends <package-name>

2. Using apt show

The apt show command also lists dependencies under the Depends section.

 apt show <package-name>

3. Using debtree

For a graphical view of dependencies, install debtree:

 sudo apt install debtree
 debtree <package-name>

This generates a dependency tree for the specified package.

Checking Security and Updates

If you want to check if a package has security updates or new versions available, use:

 apt list --upgradable

For a security-specific check, install debian-security-support:

 sudo apt install debian-security-support
 check-support-status

Conclusion

Understanding package versions and dependencies is crucial for managing a Debian 12 Bookworm system. Using tools like dpkg, apt, and apt-cache, you can easily check installed packages, find available versions, and analyze dependencies. Whether you’re debugging, upgrading, or securing your system, these methods will help you maintain a stable and efficient Debian environment.