Bug#39299: AMENDED PROPOSAL] Permit use of bz2 for source packages

[Goswin Brederlow <goswin.brederlow@student.uni-tuebingen.de>]

Chris Lawrence <quango@watervalley.net> writes:

> Therefore, I propose that we permit the use of bzip2 to compress
> source package files (.orig.tar for non-native packages, .tar for
> native packages).  A patch to dpkg-1.4.1.16 is available that
> implements this capability as an option.  Note that diff files are
> still compressed with gzip, even with bzip2 support for tar files
> enabled, because few are over 5k in size (compressed).

Could that maybe be more general. I would like to have a line in the
dsc file that tells how to uncompress the tar.xxx file, i.e. names the 
program to pipe the file through, to get the tar itself. Normaly (or
if not mentioned) gunzip would be used.

It would normaly look as follows:

uncmopressor: gunzip

> Furthermore, I propose that the policy document recommend, but not
> require, the use of bzip2 compression for large source packages where
> this will not compromise the goal of providing "pristine" source.
> However, it should be up to individual maintainers to decide whether
> the use of bzip2 compression is appropriate in each case.

I would suggest that bzip2 compression should be used if not disabled
to make the transition to bzip2 automatic and easy.

> ---
> 
> In original form, this proposal was seconded by Goswin Brederlow.

Unfortunetly I can´t second the proposal, because I´m not a maintainer 
yet, but I´m all for it.

May the Source be with you.
			Goswin