.deb pakage querys

[Robert Holtzman]

In distros using RPM package management a simple "rpm -q <package name>" 
reveals whether a package is installed and what version it is. I've been 
checking man pages for aptitude and apt-get and can't find the same 
capability. Aptitude has an option which gives package information but 
doesn't seem to indicate whether the package is installed. "Aptitude 
search <package name>" seems to show whether the package is installed but 
gives no version information.

Can someone tell me what I'm missing?

Thanks

-- 
Bob Holtzman
"If you think you're getting free lunch,
  check the price of the beer"