Hello. I got the following message from lintian for a library devel package.
N: Processing binary package libgmpada3-dev (version 0.0.20110925-2, arch amd64) ... W: libgmpada3-dev: virtual-package-depends-without-real-package-depends depends: ada-compiler N: N: The package declares a depends on a virtual package without listing a N: real package as an alternative first. N: N: If this package could ever be a build dependency, it should list a real N: package as the first alternative to any virtual package in its Depends. N: Otherwise, the build daemons will not be able to provide a consistent N: build environment. N: N: If it will never be a build dependency, this isn't necessary, but you N: may want to consider doing so anyway if there is a real package N: providing that virtual package that most users will want to use. N: N: Severity: normal, Certainty: possible N: N: Check: fields, Type: binary, udeb, source This seems quite sensible, and libraries *intend* to become Build-Dependencies. I suggest that library packages only Suggest: ada-compiler. Here is a suggestion for the debian-ada-policy change. I could commit the markup stuff for detailed review if everyone agrees. Rule: the -dev package SHALL Depend: on the packages gnat, gnat-X.Y. Rationale: depending on both packages ensures that only the default Ada compiler can be used to build programs depending on the library, pursuant to The Debian Ada compiler. Rule: the -dev package SHALL Suggest: the ada-compiler package. Rationale: suggesting ada-compiler, a virtual package, makes the -dev package visible in the list of packages that depend on ada-compiler; people looking for an Ada compiler in Debian will therefore find all -dev packages easily. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected] Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20111124215023.GC2282@pegase
