Re: Debian Policy 4.7.1.0 and program names
* Bill Allombert <ballombe@debian.org> [250225 14:26]:
> On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 01:11:51PM +0100, Chris Hofstaedtler wrote:
> > I would propose the following:
> >
> > 1) for trixie, recognise that this is not an RC bug or anything.
> >
> > 2) for forky, try to merge /usr/games into /usr/bin.
>
> What is the rationale for merging ? merging is different from mandating
> different program names.
This is obviously correct.
Merging has some advantages, from the top of my head:
1) the default PATH can become simpler. At the very least this helps
shells stat'ing fewer paths. With my shadow and util-linux
maintainer hats on, I'd very much welcome this.
I understand we have software in the archive today which assumes
that /usr/games is not on the default PATH. I understand some of
our downstreams also made this change.
2) we turn invisible conflicts into visible conflicts: installing
two packages both shipping a program name in /usr/bin will produce a
very visible dpkg error.
I understand these errors are currently somewhat tracked by existing
QA efforts. Conflicts between different PATH components are not.
I understand some people might turn their existing QA efforts into
something more visible and official, and they'd also welcome not
having to check for conflicts between different PATH components.
3) ultimately we can forget about /usr/games as a special snowflake.
~~~~
As I said it would be for forky, it was not a fully fleshed out
plan.
Depending on how much effort is being put in, it might be possible,
otherwise we might want some transitional state for forky. Or maybe
not do it.
Chris
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