Re: when and why did python(-minimal) become essential?

[Thomas Bushnell BSG <tb@becket.net>]

Matt Zimmerman <mdz@debian.org> writes:

> On Thu, Jan 19, 2006 at 08:42:57PM -0800, Thomas Bushnell BSG wrote:
>> Programs that want to use python can assume that python-minimal is
>> there (since it's Essential), and since python-minimal is never
>> installed without python also installed, they can also now assume that
>> all of python, including foobie, is there.
>> 
>> What am I missing?
>
> The difference between "installed" ("was installed initially") and
> "installed" ("is installed now").  The compromise we struck with upstream
> was that we would not give the user a system with a "broken" Python.  If
> they create one on their own, that's their business (and they could strip it
> down themselves anyway).

I understand now.

Ok, but now I'm confused: why is python-minimal needed in Essential?
Why not simply depend on it straightforwardly?

Thomas