So as the question suggests, I want to get the version of a command inside a bash script, instead of using the terminal.

I know that all available commands are present as files inside the directory **/usr/bin**. But it does not give the versions and it gives some funny information when you use cat for one of the (command) files.

for example - ```cat /usr/bin/man``` gives - 



[![funny output][1]][1]



 [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/WiDAL.png


What is this and how do I get the version?

I am using Ubuntu 20.04.

I know its a stupid question to ask here but I wasn't able to find anything :/ 



**Edit - Love the answers but I think people misunderstood my question. I know you can get the version of a command - one way or another, but this works only in the interactive terminal.** 

***I want to get the version inside a shell script instead.***