pkgDesc.Rda simple “version”, or wrapper for
packageDescription(), returning a named character vector,
including "file", and still has a useful print()
method.
pkgDesc (pkg, lib.loc = NULL, fields = NULL, ...)
pkgBuilt(pkg, lib.loc = NULL, ...)a character string, name of an installed R package.
library location to find the package in; the default
NULL uses the full .libPaths().
a character vector (or NULL) specifying fields to be returned.
further optional arguments passed to packageDescription().
a named character vector, with names, the
fields, identical to the names of the list returned
by packageDescription, plus its "file" attribute.
Additionally the resulting vector is of class "Dlist" which
activates a useful print() method.
The file is always returned; not the least that the author
wants to see it quite often as his .libPaths() is
non-trivial and typically longer than 4 entries.
str(pd <- pkgDesc("sfsmisc"))
#> 'Dlist' Named chr [1:21] "sfsmisc" ...
#> - attr(*, "names")= chr [1:21] "Package" "Title" "Version" "VersionNote" ...
pd[c("Date","Packaged", "Built","file")]
#> Date 2025-08-30
#> NA NA
#> Built R 4.4.1; ; 2025-09-16 20:48:49 UTC; unix
#> file /tmp/RtmpPnhmHx/temp_libpath328e6e6f9ac8bb/sfsmisc/Meta/package.rds
pkgBuilt("sfsmisc")
#> Built R 4.4.1; ; 2025-09-16 20:48:49 UTC; unix
#> file /tmp/RtmpPnhmHx/temp_libpath328e6e6f9ac8bb/sfsmisc/Meta/package.rds
## Show "Built" (and "file") for all packages whose namespaces are loaded:
lNs <- loadedNamespaces()
mlNs <- sapply(lNs, pkgBuilt)
t(mlNs) # typically prints nicely
#> Built
#> Matrix "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-29 20:55:20 UTC; unix"
#> compiler "R 4.4.1; ; 2024-08-22 01:51:30 UTC; unix"
#> stats "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:52:25 UTC; unix"
#> rpart "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:57:34 UTC; unix"
#> xml2 "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:54:52 UTC; unix"
#> cluster "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:50:50 UTC; unix"
#> splines "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:53:18 UTC; unix"
#> systemfonts "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-05-09 18:28:19 UTC; unix"
#> textshaping "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-09-15 13:48:50 UTC; unix"
#> yaml "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:16:24 UTC; unix"
#> fastmap "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:16:38 UTC; unix"
#> lattice "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:51:36 UTC; unix"
#> base "R 4.4.1; ; 2024-08-22 01:53:23 UTC; unix"
#> R6 "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-02-23 00:27:04 UTC; unix"
#> curl "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:50:56 UTC; unix"
#> httr2 "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-07-28 14:40:34 UTC; unix"
#> knitr "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-03-29 01:00:15 UTC; unix"
#> MASS "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:52:16 UTC; unix"
#> datasets "R 4.4.1; ; 2024-08-22 01:52:57 UTC; unix"
#> methods "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:52:58 UTC; unix"
#> tibble "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-06-17 19:02:39 UTC; unix"
#> desc "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:17:19 UTC; unix"
#> sfsmisc "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-09-16 20:48:49 UTC; unix"
#> pillar "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-07-16 18:48:30 UTC; unix"
#> rlang "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-04-12 13:34:48 UTC; unix"
#> cachem "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:19:13 UTC; unix"
#> lokern "R 4.4.0; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-07-31 04:11:41 UTC; unix"
#> xfun "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:51:39 UTC; unix"
#> fs "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-04-12 13:34:44 UTC; unix"
#> utils "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:51:58 UTC; unix"
#> memoise "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:21:05 UTC; unix"
#> cli "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-04-26 12:03:16 UTC; unix"
#> pkgdown "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-05-28 00:57:25 UTC; unix"
#> withr "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:16:57 UTC; unix"
#> magrittr "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-09-16 16:23:05 UTC; unix"
#> digest "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:17:07 UTC; unix"
#> grid "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:53:11 UTC; unix"
#> graphics "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:52:15 UTC; unix"
#> rappdirs "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:17:13 UTC; unix"
#> gmp "R 4.4.0; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-24 04:10:11 UTC; unix"
#> lifecycle "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:19:16 UTC; unix"
#> vctrs "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:21:17 UTC; unix"
#> downlit "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:23:11 UTC; unix"
#> evaluate "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-08-29 20:55:14 UTC; unix"
#> glue "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:16:17 UTC; unix"
#> whisker "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:15:48 UTC; unix"
#> ragg "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-09-15 13:50:08 UTC; unix"
#> fansi "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:16:10 UTC; unix"
#> rmarkdown "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:28:57 UTC; unix"
#> purrr "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-07-16 18:48:45 UTC; unix"
#> grDevices "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:52:07 UTC; unix"
#> tools "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:51:30 UTC; unix"
#> pkgconfig "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-01-26 16:16:03 UTC; unix"
#> htmltools "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-01-26 16:20:05 UTC; unix"
#> file
#> Matrix "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/Matrix/Meta/package.rds"
#> compiler "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/compiler/Meta/package.rds"
#> stats "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/stats/Meta/package.rds"
#> rpart "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/rpart/Meta/package.rds"
#> xml2 "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/xml2/Meta/package.rds"
#> cluster "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/cluster/Meta/package.rds"
#> splines "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/splines/Meta/package.rds"
#> systemfonts "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/systemfonts/Meta/package.rds"
#> textshaping "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/textshaping/Meta/package.rds"
#> yaml "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/yaml/Meta/package.rds"
#> fastmap "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/fastmap/Meta/package.rds"
#> lattice "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/lattice/Meta/package.rds"
#> base "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/base/Meta/package.rds"
#> R6 "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/R6/Meta/package.rds"
#> curl "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/curl/Meta/package.rds"
#> httr2 "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/httr2/Meta/package.rds"
#> knitr "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/knitr/Meta/package.rds"
#> MASS "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/MASS/Meta/package.rds"
#> datasets "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/datasets/Meta/package.rds"
#> methods "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/methods/Meta/package.rds"
#> tibble "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/tibble/Meta/package.rds"
#> desc "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/desc/Meta/package.rds"
#> sfsmisc "/tmp/RtmpPnhmHx/temp_libpath328e6e6f9ac8bb/sfsmisc/Meta/package.rds"
#> pillar "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/pillar/Meta/package.rds"
#> rlang "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/rlang/Meta/package.rds"
#> cachem "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/cachem/Meta/package.rds"
#> lokern "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/lokern/Meta/package.rds"
#> xfun "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/xfun/Meta/package.rds"
#> fs "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/fs/Meta/package.rds"
#> utils "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/utils/Meta/package.rds"
#> memoise "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/memoise/Meta/package.rds"
#> cli "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/cli/Meta/package.rds"
#> pkgdown "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/pkgdown/Meta/package.rds"
#> withr "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/withr/Meta/package.rds"
#> magrittr "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/magrittr/Meta/package.rds"
#> digest "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/digest/Meta/package.rds"
#> grid "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/grid/Meta/package.rds"
#> graphics "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/graphics/Meta/package.rds"
#> rappdirs "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/rappdirs/Meta/package.rds"
#> gmp "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/gmp/Meta/package.rds"
#> lifecycle "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/lifecycle/Meta/package.rds"
#> vctrs "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/vctrs/Meta/package.rds"
#> downlit "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/downlit/Meta/package.rds"
#> evaluate "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/evaluate/Meta/package.rds"
#> glue "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/glue/Meta/package.rds"
#> whisker "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/whisker/Meta/package.rds"
#> ragg "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/ragg/Meta/package.rds"
#> fansi "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/fansi/Meta/package.rds"
#> rmarkdown "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/rmarkdown/Meta/package.rds"
#> purrr "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/purrr/Meta/package.rds"
#> grDevices "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/grDevices/Meta/package.rds"
#> tools "/opt/R/4.4.1/lib/R/library/tools/Meta/package.rds"
#> pkgconfig "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/pkgconfig/Meta/package.rds"
#> htmltools "/cluster-data/user-homes/elizabethb/projects/prism-pkgdocs-build/installed-pkgs/2025-09-15/sfsmisc_1.1-22_lib/htmltools/Meta/package.rds"
pkgs <- c("grid", "lattice", "MASS", "Matrix", "nlme", "lme4", "sfsmisc")
pkgs <- c("foobar", "barbar", pkgs, "kitty") # + names that typically don't exist
pkgsOk <- basename(find.package(pkgs, quiet=TRUE))
mpkg <- sapply(pkgsOk, pkgBuilt)
stopifnot(is.matrix(mpkg), nrow(mpkg) == 2)
mpkg["Built",]
#> grid
#> "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2024-08-22 01:53:11 UTC; unix"
#> lattice
#> "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:51:36 UTC; unix"
#> MASS
#> "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:52:16 UTC; unix"
#> Matrix
#> "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-29 20:55:20 UTC; unix"
#> nlme
#> "R 4.4.1; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu; 2025-08-22 14:54:13 UTC; unix"
#> sfsmisc
#> "R 4.4.1; ; 2025-09-16 20:48:49 UTC; unix"