Re: seeking advice concerning xtide package split

[Peter S Galbraith <GalbraithP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>]

"Sean 'Shaleh' Perry" wrote:

> > I maintain the xtide package.  Currently, it's not a pristine
> > package: I add harmonics data to the package that are otherwise
> > downloaded manually from the author's web site (it was packaged
> > this way when I adopted it).  Since the xtide software itself and
> > the harmonics data are updated independently by the author, I
> > want to split off the package into the software and a supporting
> > data package.  This will allow:
> > 
> 
> splitting seems useful given your situation

Glad you agree.
 
> > 2- Create `xtide' and `xtide-data' with xtide _depending_ on
> >    xtide-data.
> > 
> >    Advantages:  
> >     - Casual user might do `apt-get install xtide', try it and
> >       see a working package.
> > 
> >    Disavantages:
> >     - Users that want to download data separately would have a
> >       problem.
> >     - Users that want to install xtide-data and trim it down (as
> >       described above) could not purge the package, but would
> >       need to put the package on hold instead.
>  
> 
> if the program needs this data to run, a depends make sense.
> As you said, they can put it on hold and thus only get hit with
> a large download every now and then.

Ok.

> Your other option is to create a small subset of the data and
> include it in the main package and let the rest be in the -data
> package.  This way they can at least sample the package.

Ah!  Now I'm very glad I asked!  This could be a really nice
solution.  I just might do this.  Seems very reasonable,
especially to let users sample the program without a huge
download.

Thanks!
Peter