How to interpret the status of dpkg (–list)?

The first column of the dpkg -list corresponds to the status of a package. How to interpret this status.

Status of every package is represented by three characters xxx

First character: The possible value for the first character. The first character signifies the desired state, like we (or some user) is marking the package for installation

u: Unknown (an unknown state)
i: Install (marked for installation)
r: Remove (marked for removal)
p: Purge (marked for purging)
h: Hold

Second Character: The second character signifies the current state, whether it is installed or not. The possible values are

n: Not- The package is not installed
i: Inst – The package is successfully installed
c: Cfg-files – Configuration files are present
u: Unpacked- The package is stilled unpacked
f: Failed-cfg- Failed to remove configuration files
h: Half-inst- The package is only partially installed
W: trig-aWait
t: Trig-pend

Third Character: This corresponds to the error state. The possible value include

R: Reinst-required The package must be installed.

Taken from: http://joysofprogramming.com/status-dpkg-list/