Re: Debian-specific packages
On Mon, Feb 28, 2000 at 02:23:32PM +1030, Michael Pearson wrote:
> > Hello there. You would not be alone if you were to not use the x.x.x-x
> > notation; apt, dpkg, and alien all forgo the -x bit. I don't know for
> > sure that I would recommend it -- I think I have read somewhere that
> > missing the debian change number implies it is a debian-specific tool.
> That's one of the things I was worried about. Does anybody else have any
> comments on this?
There are several packages that are packaged as native packages, that are
not Debian specific, and there are also several packages that are packaged
as non-native packages, but their maintainer is also a Debian developer.
You're free to choose either way. As long as the package works, that is. :)
> > More so than just the implications, however, is convenience. If you
> > every make a mistake to the postinst or preinst or other debian specific
> > packaging aids, you will have to bump the version number on what you
> > release as well when you fix the problem, even if the problem existed
> > only in the debian package.
> The problem is that seeing as the debian package comes straight from the
> original source tree, any modifications to the debian specific files means
> a modification of the source tree. Therefore, I feel it more appropriate to
> increase the version number of the whole source, not just the debian package.
However, if you don't feel like uploading a new "upstream" version to the
web/ftp site and/or doing whatever else is usually done when a new version
is released, just add the -X suffix to the old version, as that would
clearly indicate that a change is Debian-only. Later you can revert to
revision-less numbering scheme, no problem.
> > So, you can do it, and I don't think anyone will be upset at you, nor do
> > I think anything will break; but it might be more work on yourself.
> I'm wondering: is there anything in policy about this? Can't seem to find
> anything, however I may have missed it.
I can't remember if there's a policy on this, either... probably not.
--
enJoy -*/\*- don't even try to pronounce my first name
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