Hello people. This is about: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=747716
Currently libqt5sql5-sqlite is given as a recommends and not a depends for qttools5-dev-tools (https://packages.debian.org/sid/qttools5-dev-tools) whereas /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/bin/assistant, one of the programs installed by the latter package, cannot even start up without libqt5sql5-sqlite being installed. I hence requested to change it to depends. The developers say "no, recommends is right in this case since only assistant requires it and the other tools in the package do not -- you should have recommends installed by default in your system in most cases -- if you don't, that's not a problem of the packaging". I pointed out that the specification at https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/maint-guide/dreq.en.html#control says to use depends "if your program absolutely will not run ... unless a particular package is present." That guide does not speak anything about multiple programs installed by a package, but IMO it stands to reason that what is logical for one program installed by a package applies for many programs installed by a single package as well. IOW, if I install a package I expect to be able to run all the programs provided by it. Without a recommends being installed alongside, maybe some of the functionality of those programs is missing, but it should not fail to start altogether, which is what is happening in this case. IMO something that a program can't even start without should be a hard dependency and not just a recommends. A user may disable installation of recommends for whatever reason. This should not prevent the user from even starting up the program! I am posting this here since the developers seem to just disagree with my point without providing any policy-based/logical reason. I want the community to weigh in with their opinion as well. Thanks. -- Shriramana Sharma ஶ்ரீரமணஶர்மா श्रीरमणशर्मा -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: https://lists.debian.org/cah-hcwx3o1j4l3yxxwochepehie+pdomj-p5kyuatgz9hwf...@mail.gmail.com
