Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →- A
which package
Why wrong: Not always installed.
- B
command -v package
POSIX-compliant.
- C
dpkg -l package
Why wrong: Debian-specific.
- D
rpm -q package
Why wrong: Red Hat-specific.
Question 7 of 510
Quick Answer
The answer is `command -v package`. This is the correct choice because it relies on the POSIX-standard `command` shell built-in, which is available in any Bourne-compatible shell—including bash, sh, dash, and ksh—making it truly distribution-agnostic for a portable package installation check. Unlike distribution-specific tools like `dpkg -l`, `rpm -q`, or `apt list`, `command -v` simply returns the path to the executable if the package’s binary is in the user’s PATH, or exits with a non-zero status if it is not installed, bypassing the need to know the underlying package manager. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of scripting portability across Red Hat, Debian, and SUSE systems; a common trap is choosing `which` or `type`, which are not always built into every shell and can behave inconsistently. Remember the memory tip: “Command checks the command—no package manager required.”
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer is writing a Bash script that must be portable across different Linux distributions. The script needs to check if a package is installed. Which command should be used to achieve this portability?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
command -v package
The `command -v package` command is the most portable way to check if a package is installed across different Linux distributions because it uses the POSIX-standard `command` shell built-in, which works in any Bourne-compatible shell (bash, sh, dash, etc.) regardless of the underlying package manager. It returns the path to the executable if the package's binary is in the PATH, or nothing if it is not installed, making it distribution-agnostic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
which package
Why it's wrong here
Not always installed.
- ✓
command -v package
Why this is correct
POSIX-compliant.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
dpkg -l package
Why it's wrong here
Debian-specific.
- ✗
rpm -q package
Why it's wrong here
Red Hat-specific.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose `dpkg` or `rpm` because they are familiar with checking packages on their own distribution, but the question explicitly requires portability across different Linux distributions, making the distribution-agnostic `command -v` the correct choice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `command -v` is a shell built-in defined by POSIX (IEEE Std 1003.1) that searches the PATH for the executable name and returns its absolute path, with an exit code of 0 if found and 1 if not. This contrasts with `which`, which is an external command that may not be present in minimal environments (e.g., Docker containers) and can have inconsistent output formats. In real-world scripting, using `command -v` ensures the script works across Alpine (apk), Debian (dpkg), Red Hat (rpm), and other distributions without relying on package-manager-specific tools.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Scripting, Containers and Automation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Scripting, Containers and Automation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 study guide
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XK0-005 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: command -v package — The `command -v package` command is the most portable way to check if a package is installed across different Linux distributions because it uses the POSIX-standard `command` shell built-in, which works in any Bourne-compatible shell (bash, sh, dash, etc.) regardless of the underlying package manager. It returns the path to the executable if the package's binary is in the PATH, or nothing if it is not installed, making it distribution-agnostic.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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