Bug#162120: debian-policy: Deletion of configuration files--should it be preserved?

[tb@becket.net (Thomas Bushnell, BSG)]

Anthony Towns <aj@azure.humbug.org.au> writes:

> The. Packages. Are. Not. Broken. It's that simple. How many times have you
> found base-passwd recreating /etc/passwd and /etc/group a nuisance? Never?
> Funny that.
> 
> Why the fuck do we have to have a debate about this?

We don't; any behavior here is fine with me, as long as we document
it.

Manoj seems to think that the current policy doc implies the "must
preserve deletions" behavior.  (That was my original thought too, but
I must admit, I don't much care.)

I think, however, that the whole point of having a policy document is
to accurately describe how Debian packages are supposed to work.

We have to have a debate about it because there is an actual
substantive disagreement between you and Manoj.  If you don't think
it's that important, then say so, and Manoj could put in a policy
change to make explicit that deletions must be preserved.

Thomas