[gentoo-dev] Re: [RFC] PROPERTIES=virtual for meta-packages (clarification of definition)

[Steve Long]

Joe Peterson wrote:

> Ciaran McCreesh wrote:
>> Except it doesn't. A virtual ebuild:
>> 
>> * installs nothing
>> * does nothing
> 
> I'd say that virtual does indeed do something: it pulls in other packages.
> 
>> * should be treated as being very quickly installable
>> * should be treated as having zero cost for installs
>>
Both of which follow from "installs nothing." Or would you disagree?
 
>> The property proposed corresponds to only the last of these.
> 
> Still, the term "virtual" fits the spirit of the idea well.
> 
Indeed, and it is well-understood.