[This is not about source package format.] Currently, the debian/ directory goes inside the source directory, and we sometimes can't use pristine upstream sources because they don't conform to our standards.
The obvious way to fix this is: have a standard for the debian source directory, and unpack the pristine upstream sources into it. Note that if we went this direction (and doing this right would involve some careful planning), this would also address current silliness, like debian/rules creating .deb files, etc. in the parent directory. Here's a draft idea, please poke holes in it: [1] keep current directory naming convention. [2] keep debian/ as a sub directory of main directory. [3] unpack pristine sources in the source/ directory [4] Where upstream sources include a debian/ directory, implement as active debian/ directory using a symlink. [5] distribute the debian directory as small, independent tarball. Even where it's just a symlink. [6] generated files (.deb, .tar.gz, .dsc, etc.) should all be created inside the main directory, but outside the debian/ and source/ directories. [7] migrating to this standard should be associated with a new major release of policy (with all the associated delays -- we're going to have some delays anyways just waiting for our build tools to be able to recognize and deal with this.). Thanks, -- Raul
