Bug#759260: [PATCH] Remove priority "extra", make all corresponding packages priority "optional"
Hi Ansgar,
Thanks for your input here -- it would be great if in this process we could
remove a pile of busywork from the ftp-master task as well as simplify one
of the strangest features of the archive.
> Gerrit Pape <pape@dbnbgs.smarden.org> writes:
>> Since discussion on this topic seems to have stopped, I suggest this
>> patch to remove the priority "extra" for Debian packages.
>>
>> All packages that currently are of priority "extra" shall be changed to
>> priority "optional" for the reasons outlined in message #35 to this
>> very report
>
> I find Priority: extra useful for at least transitional packages,
> detached debug symbols, and packages conflicting with packages of
> priority >= important (or maybe >= standard) that will continue to do
> so, say for example alternative init systems.
>
> Currently I therefore object this change, but don't mind limiting what
> the 'extra' priority should be used for further.
For the purposes of this discussion, it would be very useful if you could
clarify if the above objection is with your ftp-master hat on or your Debian
user hat on. (This is not to say that your opinion as a Debian user is not
important, but I think the context of your remark is quite important -- an
ftp-master saying "we need priorities" is different to a user saying "I like
priorities".)
To me, your comment sounds like one being made as a user, as it is not
commenting on the role of the priorities in the organisation of the archive
and, because priorities are somehow important in the organisation of the
archive, that is why they are controlled by ftp-master and not by the
maintainers. It would be very helpful to have an ftp-master's view as to why
the Priority field is important for that at all.
In a later message, you describe some of the busywork that ftp-master
control of priorities involves and say:
> Finally I'm not sure if it is ftpmaster's task to tell maintainers of
> high priority packages what other packages they may depend on. We should
> by default just trust them.
which makes me think that you see no reason why ftp-master is controlling
Priority either. With your ftp-master hat on, is there any reason not to
just rip all that overrides code out of dak and instead accept the values
from the maintainers? (That directly addresses the other part of this
discussion, too.)
cheers
Stuart
--
Stuart Prescott http://www.nanonanonano.net/ stuart@nanonanonano.net
Debian Developer http://www.debian.org/ stuart@debian.org
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