Re: feature: to add explanations of recommendations and suggestions dependencies

[Adeodato Simó <dato@net.com.org.es>]

* Daniel Burrows [Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:34:18 -0700]:

> On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 08:57:24PM +0100, Adeodato Simó <dato@net.com.org.es> was heard to say:
> > * Shachar Or [Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:36:35 +0300]:

> > > I am not suggesting this data will be put in with the package's description, 

> > Why not? I think (briefly) explaining some of the most relevant
> > recommends and suggests is a perfect use of the description space. And
> > if more verbosity is needed, that information should go into the
> > README.Debian file in my opinion.

>   The thing is that the Description field is not machine-parseable.
> If aptitude, for instance, knew about the purpose of a Recommends,
> it could indicate this to the user at convenient places in the UI
> where the Description might not be visible (and without requiring
> the user to hunt for the recommendation in the Description).

This is a good point. As long as `apt-cache show` always shows something
reasonably readable...

Cheers,

-- 
Adeodato Simó                                     dato at net.com.org.es
Debian Developer                                  adeodato at debian.org
 
As an adolescent I aspired to lasting fame, I craved factual certainty,
and I thirsted for a meaningful vision of human life -- so I became a
scientist. This is like becoming an archbishop so you can meet girls.
                -- Matt Cartmill