Bug#782110: in 4.4.5 please drop -f from apt-get install

[David Kalnischkies <david@kalnischkies.de>]

Package: release-notes
Severity: minor
Tags: patch

Hi,

Section "4.4.5. Upgrading the system" [0] has at the end the
suggestion: "trying apt-get -f install package.".

In the best (and usual) case the -f has no effect here. -f stands for
--fix-broken, so if nothing is broken (referring to the current state
of the system – ala "dpkg --audit" output is not empty) nothing bad
(nor anything good) happens cause of it.

If the system is broken through -f takes full effect – and specifying
packages after it is usually not a good idea as this needs to be
a complete solution sidestepping apts resolver entirely, while without
apt-get will figure out a solution on its own with the resolver
(which is why later on in troubleshooting its mentioned without).

So, in the way this is presented it feels like -f stands for --force
even through such a flag doesn't exist (nor would it be sensible).
It also wastes three keystrokes per user. ;)


Attached is a diff to drop the -f from all translations, even those
which seem kinda stale (I have my doubts "aptitude -f" had the behaviour
suggested in older version here either, but I haven't touched those).
Hope that helps.


Best regards

David Kalnischkies

Index: be/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- be/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ be/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -2034,7 +2034,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Новыя версіі раней усталяваных пакетаў, якія немагчыма абнавіць, не змяніўшы "
Index: cs/upgrading.dbk
===================================================================
--- cs/upgrading.dbk	(Revision 10737)
+++ cs/upgrading.dbk	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@
 (zobrazováno jako <quote>přidržení</quote>). To můžete vyřešit
 programem <command>aptitude</command>, kde tyto balíky vyberete k
 instalaci, nebo můžete zkusit příkaz
-<literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>balík</replaceable></literal>.
+<literal>apt-get install <replaceable>balík</replaceable></literal>.
 
       </para>
     </section>
Index: da/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- da/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ da/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1802,7 +1802,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nye versioner af aktuelt installerede pakker, som ikke kan opgraderes uden "
@@ -1809,7 +1809,7 @@
 "at ændre installationsstatus for andre pakker vil blive efterladt med deres "
 "aktuelle version (vist som <quote>held back</quote>). Dette kan løses ved "
 "enten at bruge <command>aptitude</command> til at vælge disse pakker for "
-"installation elelr ved at prøve <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"installation elelr ved at prøve <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>package</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: de/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- de/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ de/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1939,7 +1939,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Neue Versionen von bereits installierten Paketen, die nicht aktualisiert "
@@ -1947,7 +1947,7 @@
 "werden in ihrer derzeitigen Version belassen (sie werden als "
 "<quote>zurückgehalten</quote> angezeigt). Dies kann aufgelöst werden, indem "
 "Sie entweder <command>aptitude</command> verwenden, um diese Pakete zur "
-"Installation vorzumerken, oder indem Sie <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"Installation vorzumerken, oder indem Sie <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>paketname</replaceable></literal> versuchen."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: en/upgrading.dbk
===================================================================
--- en/upgrading.dbk	(Revision 10737)
+++ en/upgrading.dbk	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@
 changing the install status of another package will be left at their current
 version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by either using
 <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for installation or by
-trying <literal>apt-get -f install
+trying <literal>apt-get install
 <replaceable>package</replaceable></literal>.
 </para>
 </section>
Index: es/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- es/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ es/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1833,7 +1833,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Las versiones nuevas de los paquetes ya instalados que no se puedan "
@@ -1841,7 +1841,7 @@
 "dejarán en su versión actual (en cuyo caso se mostrarán como «held back», es "
 "decir, «retenidos»). Se puede resolver esta incidencia usando "
 "<command>aptitude</command> para elegir esos paquetes para que se instalen, "
-"o intentando ejecutar <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>paquete</"
+"o intentando ejecutar <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>paquete</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: fi/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- fi/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ fi/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -2143,7 +2143,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Asennettujen pakettien uudet versiot, joita ei voi asentaa\n"
Index: fr/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- fr/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ fr/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1851,7 +1851,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Les paquets déjà installés ayant une nouvelle version, mais qui ne peuvent "
@@ -1859,7 +1859,7 @@
 "leur version actuelle (et affichés comme retenus &mdash; <quote>held back</"
 "quote>). Cela peut être résolu soit en utilisant <command>aptitude</command> "
 "et en choisissant d'installer ces paquets, soit en essayant <literal>apt-get "
-"-f install <replaceable>paquet</replaceable></literal>."
+"install <replaceable>paquet</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
 #: en/upgrading.dbk:952
Index: it/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- it/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ it/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1939,7 +1939,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nuove versioni di pacchetti attualmente installati che non possono essere "
@@ -1947,7 +1947,7 @@
 "saranno lasciate alla loro attuale versione (contrassegnati come <quote>held "
 "back</quote>;, <quote>bloccati</quote>). Questo fatto può essere risolto o "
 "utilizzando <command>aptitude</command>, per designare tali pacchetti per "
-"l'installazione, o provando con <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"l'installazione, o provando con <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>pacchetto</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: ja/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- ja/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ ja/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1813,7 +1813,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "現在インストールされているパッケージを新しいバージョンへとアップグレードする"
@@ -1820,7 +1820,7 @@
 "際に、他のパッケージのインストール状態を変更しなければならないような場合に"
 "は、そのパッケージは現在のバージョンのままになります (<quote>固定されている</"
 "quote> と表示されます)。この状態は、<command>aptitude</command> でこれらの"
-"パッケージをインストール対象として選択するか、または <literal>apt-get -f "
+"パッケージをインストール対象として選択するか、または <literal>apt-get "
 "install <replaceable>パッケージ名</replaceable></literal> を実行してみると、"
 "解決できます。"
 
Index: lt/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- lt/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ lt/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1995,7 +1995,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Naujos versijos šiuo metu jau įdiegtų paketų, kurie negali būti atnaujinti, "
Index: ml/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- ml/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ ml/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1989,7 +1989,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "മറ്റു പൊതികളുടെ പ്രതിഷ്ഠാപന നിലവാരം മാറാതെ പുതുക്കാന്‍ കഴിയാത്തതും നിലവിലുള്ളതുമായ പൊതികളുടെ "
Index: nb/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- nb/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ nb/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -2009,7 +2009,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nye versjoner av installerte pakker som ikke kan oppgraderes uten å endre "
Index: nl/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- nl/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ nl/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1340,7 +1340,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 
Index: pl/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- pl/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ pl/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1803,7 +1803,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nowe wersje zainstalowanych pakietów, które nie mogą być zainstalowane bez "
@@ -1810,7 +1810,7 @@
 "zmiany statusu innego pakietu zostaną pozostawione w bieżącej wersji "
 "(wyświetlone jako <quote>zatrzymane</quote>). Można to rozwiązać za pomocą "
 "<command>aptitude</command>, wybierając te pakiety do instalacji; można też "
-"spróbować wykonać <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>pakiet</"
+"spróbować wykonać <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>pakiet</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: pt/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- pt/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ pt/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1897,7 +1897,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "As novas versões dos pacotes actualmente instalados que não possam ser "
@@ -1904,7 +1904,7 @@
 "actualizadas sem alterar o estado de instalação de outro pacote serão "
 "deixadas na sua versão actual (mostradas como <quote>held back</quote>). "
 "Isto pode ser resolvido ou utilizando o <command>aptitude</command> de modo "
-"a escolher estes pacotes para instalação ou tentando <literal>apt-get -f "
+"a escolher estes pacotes para instalação ou tentando <literal>apt-get "
 "install <replaceable>pacote</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: pt-br/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- pt-br/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ pt-br/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1900,7 +1900,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "As novas versões dos pacotes instalados atualmente que não puderem ser "
@@ -1907,7 +1907,7 @@
 "atualizadas sem mudar o estado da instalação de um outro pacote serão "
 "deixadas em sua versão atual (exibidas como <quote>held back</quote>). Isso "
 "pode ser resolvido tanto utilizando o <command>aptitude</command> para "
-"escolher esses pacotes para instalação como tentando <literal>apt-get -f "
+"escolher esses pacotes para instalação como tentando <literal>apt-get "
 "install <replaceable>pacote</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: ro/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- ro/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ ro/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1907,7 +1907,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Pachetele deja instalate care nu pot fi înnoite la versiuni mai noi fără a "
@@ -1914,7 +1914,7 @@
 "schimba statutul instalării altui pachet vor fi lăsate la versiunea curentă "
 "(marcate ca <quote>held back</quote>). Acest lucru poate fi rezolvat prin "
 "utilizarea comenzii <command>aptitude</command> și alegerea acestor pachete "
-"pentru instalare sau prin rularea comenzii <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"pentru instalare sau prin rularea comenzii <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>pachet</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: ru/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- ru/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ ru/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1809,7 +1809,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Новые версии уже установленных пакетов, которые нельзя обновить не меняя "
@@ -1816,7 +1816,7 @@
 "состояния других пакетов, не будут установлены (программа выведет сообщение, "
 "что пакет зафиксирован, <quote>held back</quote>). Разрешить ситуацию можно, "
 "либо отметив такой пакет как подлежащий установке с помощью "
-"<command>aptitude</command>, либо выполнив команду <literal>apt-get -f "
+"<command>aptitude</command>, либо выполнив команду <literal>apt-get "
 "install <replaceable>пакет</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: sk/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- sk/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ sk/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1790,7 +1790,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nové verzie momentálne nainštalovaných balíkov, ktoré nie je možné "
@@ -1797,7 +1797,7 @@
 "aktualizovať bez zmeny stavu inštalácie iného balíka budú ponechané v "
 "aktuálnej verzii (zobrazia sa ako „podržané“). To je možné vyriešiť buď "
 "pomocou  <command>aptitude</command> tak, že zvolíte tieto balíky na "
-"inštaláciu alebo tak, že skúsite spustiť <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"inštaláciu alebo tak, že skúsite spustiť <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>balík</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: sv/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- sv/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ sv/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1866,7 +1866,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Nya versioner av installerade paket, som inte kan uppgraderas utan att ändra "
@@ -1873,7 +1873,7 @@
 "installationsstatus för ett annat paket, kommer att lämnas kvar vid deras "
 "nuvarande version (visas som <quote>återhållna</quote>). Det kan lösas genom "
 "att antingen använda <command>aptitude</command> för att välja dessa paket "
-"för installation eller genom att prova <literal>apt-get -f install "
+"för installation eller genom att prova <literal>apt-get install "
 "<replaceable>paket</replaceable></literal>."
 
 #. type: Content of: <chapter><section><title>
Index: vi/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- vi/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ vi/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -2004,7 +2004,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "Gói được cài đặt hiện thời mà không thể nâng cấp mà không thay đổi trạng "
Index: zh-cn/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- zh-cn/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ zh-cn/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1899,7 +1899,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "如果不改变被指定在当前状态(显示为 <quote>held back</quote>) 的另一个包，当前"
Index: zh-tw/upgrading.po
===================================================================
--- zh-tw/upgrading.po	(Revision 10737)
+++ zh-tw/upgrading.po	(Arbeitskopie)
@@ -1974,7 +1974,7 @@
 "changing the install status of another package will be left at their current "
 "version (displayed as <quote>held back</quote>).  This can be resolved by "
 "either using <command>aptitude</command> to choose these packages for "
-"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get -f install <replaceable>package</"
+"installation or by trying <literal>apt-get install <replaceable>package</"
 "replaceable></literal>."
 msgstr ""
 "如果升級某些已安裝的套件至新版本時會改變其他套件的安裝狀態的話，這些套件就會"

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: Digital signature