Bug#378698: should not recommend manual for the obsolete STL
Package: libstdc++6-4.1-dev
Version: 4.1.0-4
Hi!
I just noticed that the above package (and some others, see apt-cache showpkg
stl-manual) recommend the stl-manual. Now, the problem is that the STL is
obsolete. Back in the olden days, the STL was ported to C++ and presented to
the C++ committee for standardisation. Large parts (but not all) of it were
accepted, some parts with small differences, while other parts (e.g. class
rope) were completely left out. There, it formed with the C library, C++
IOStreams and some other libraries the C++ standardlibrary.
HOWEVER: those are distinct entities and the STL manual does not document the
C++ standard which C++ compiler producers (including the GCC people) try to
follow. Because it is incomplete and sometimes even contradicting the C++
standard, this manual should not be recommended. In fact it should not be
distributed at all since the library it documents is not distributed either.
I acknowledge that today the container/iterator/algorithm part, which was
strongly influenced by the STL, is still often referred to as 'STL', but this
use not technically correct and creates a dangerous half-knowledge.
I'm pretty sure I already once reported this error somewhere and the bug was
then both fixed and the bug report closed, I'm not sure against exactly which
package though. If this reintroduction of the Recommends: was intentional,
I'd suggest reopening the initial bug report and setting it to wontfix with
proper reasoning.
I'm also considering filing a bug-report against stl-manual, which (as I said
above) should be completely removed, but that's rather a political question
which I'd leave to the maintainers to answer.
cheers
Uli
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