Bug#27906: [PROPOSED] Binary-only NMU's

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

Package: debian-policy
Severity: wishlist

In the bug report 27823, someone reports uploading a binary-only NMU
and sends a corresponding source code change to the bug system.

This is NOT ON, and is NOT ALLOWED according to the GPL, and ought to
be prohibited by our policy.

I hereby propose an amendment to the Debian Developers' Reference,
s5.5 `Interim Releases':

Before the paragraph `When someone other than ... version number ...',
add:

 A non-maintainer upload (`NMU') MUST include the source code if any
 source code changes were made.  If the NMU is for a new upstream
 version, the full source including upstream source archive(s) MUST be
 uploaded.  Recompilation uploads (for platforms other than those
 whose binaries are supplied by the maintainer) which do not require
 source code changes MUST NOT include the source code.  See <reference
 to section added below>.

Replace:
 Maintainers other than the usual package maintainer should make as
 few changes to the package as possible, and they should always send a
 unified context diff (diff -u) detailing their changes to the bug
 tracking system properly flagged with the correct package so that the
 usual maintainer is kept aware of the situation.
with:
 Uploaders other than the usual package maintainer SHOULD make as few
 changes to the package as possible.  Their changes MUST be intended
 to work on every architecture.  They MUST always send a unified
 context diff (diff -u) detailing their changes to the bug tracking
 system properly flagged with the correct package so that the usual
 maintainer is kept aware of the situation.

Section 4.3 `Architectures' needs a complete rewrite, including
details of binary-only porter NMUs.  That'll want some discussion.

Ian.