LordCold2099

Not quite sure I can answer your "tech" questions, but, I think I can give you some "clues" on finding these answers on your own...

try doing the following: ( in a root Konsole )
updatedb
locate gcc

Scroll through the output, and see what shows up...

Another avenue, is to use the ever popular, combination: ( again, in a root Konsole )
apt-cache policy [package]
apt-cache show [package]

the first command will show if the package is installed, and if newer versions exist. The second, displays an "extended" description of the package, a lot more information that what is shown as a "one-line" in the apt-cache search [something] command.

As for your other questions, possibly some one else has information on them...

Hope this helps,
Ms. Cuddles