pkgctl-version

Display version

$ pkgctl version

pkgctl version

pkgctl-version refers to the version subcommand of the pkgctl utility, a versatile command-line tool designed to streamline package management and interaction with the Arch User Repository (AUR) on Arch Linux systems. While pkgctl provides a unified interface for various tasks like building, installing, and managing packages, its version subcommand has a singular purpose: to display the current version of the pkgctl tool itself.

This information is crucial for several reasons: it helps users verify their installed pkgctl version, which is important for compatibility with new features or bug fixes. It's also invaluable when reporting issues or seeking support, as developers often require the tool's version to reproduce or diagnose problems. The command is straightforward to use, requiring no additional parameters, and simply outputs the version string to standard output.

This command is specific to the pkgctl utility, which is primarily developed for and used within the Arch Linux ecosystem. It is not a universally available Linux command and will not be found on distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, or RHEL unless pkgctl is specifically installed from a third-party source or community repository. Its functionality is limited to reporting the version of its parent tool, pkgctl.

pkgctl is part of the libalpm library ecosystem, which is the core of pacman. It's designed to be a more official and robust way to interact with the AUR and perform various package-related operations compared to some older, less maintained AUR helpers. The pkgctl-version command specifically helps in identifying which iteration of this important tool you are using, aiding in system diagnostics and troubleshooting.

The pkgctl utility is a relatively recent addition to the Arch Linux toolset, evolving from efforts to provide a more integrated and user-friendly experience for managing both official Arch packages and those from the Arch User Repository (AUR). Its development is driven by the Arch Linux community, aiming to consolidate functionalities often provided by disparate tools or AUR helpers (like yay or paru) under a single, official-leaning command-line interface. The version subcommand has been an integral part of pkgctl from its early stages, serving the fundamental purpose of allowing users to easily ascertain the tool's specific build or release identifier. This aids in tracking changes, debugging, and ensuring compatibility within the rapidly evolving Arch Linux environment.

pkgctl(1), pacman(8), makepkg(8), aura(1), yay(1), paru(1)