Ubuntu – How to check if a virtual package is installed

aptdpkgpackage-management

In the following question there is a solution to checking for a package prior to installing it:

How do I check if a package is installed on my server?

However, I have found that this does not work for Virtual Packages.

Is there a way to traverse the package name that apt-get automatically select and check for the correct one?

Best Answer

You can use grep-status (package dctrl-tools, not installed by default) to find all installed packages providing some virtual package:

$ grep-status -FProvides,Package -sPackage,Provides,Status awk 
Package: mawk
Provides: awk
Status: install ok installed

Package: gawk
Provides: awk
Status: install ok installed
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