Bug#681419: Alternative dependencies on non-free packages in main

[Ian Jackson <ijackson@chiark.greenend.org.uk>]

Russ Allbery writes ("Bug#681419: Alternative dependencies on non-free packages in main"):
> Ian Jackson <ijackson@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes:
> > Would we also want to do something to avoid the package managers
> > complaining about nonexistent virtual packages ?  I guess they are
> > already happy to ignore references to unprovided virtual packages, and
> > nonexistent packages in general, since they are a common approach for
> > transitions and often remain (beneficially) in the dependencies for
> > years afterwards.
> 
> The only dependencies on non-free from main right now are in the form of
> an alternative between a free package and a non-free package (or are
> serious bugs), I believe.  So I don't think any of the virtual packages
> would be non-existent, since the free package would always provide that
> virtual package, no?

Very good point.

Ian.