how to retreive bootloader version

Using Arduino IDE 1.x
1

I am new to this platform and would like to know how to communicate with the bootloader version on my Arduino.

  1. Is there a command sequence that will tell me the version I have and its date of release. Or maybe even a packet of information that is availble from the bootloader

  2. can I pull the version aka file and store it on my computer while I download and modify a new version....even if it is in the bin-hex file configuration...

thxs SKOG

2

The bootloader file is part of the IDE file set.
Look in boards.txt for your board type, it has the path and file used to burn a bootloader. Reload yours if you want so you know what you have.