Re: Dependencies of Essential good enough for postrm?

[Andreas Barth <aba@not.so.argh.org>]

* Gerfried Fuchs (alfie@ist.org) [060823 18:15]:
>  Though, said script is in the (pre-)dependency chain of an essential
> package.  I am quite sure that one can depend on the dependencies of
> essential packages being resolved when using the postrm, though as the
> package itself isn't itself essential at least aba wanted the point to
> be raised and be made clear for the release policy.

You cannot use the Dependencies of an essential package, because the
essential Package might just be unpacked and Dependencies don't need to
be satisfied at that time (even though they usually are). You can
however relay on the Pre-Dependencies of an essential package, because
they need to be configured before the essential package is even
unpacked.

IMHO we should expand release policy from:
        Packages must include a "Depends:" line listing any other
        packages they require for operation, unless those packages are
        marked "Essential: yes". Packages must include a "Pre-Depends:"
        line listing any packages required by their preinst.
to:
        Packages must include a "Depends:" line listing any other
        packages they require for operation, unless those packages are
        marked "Essential: yes" or are Pre-Dependend by Packages
        marked so. Packages must include a "Pre-Depends:"
        line listing any packages required by their preinst.


Cheers,
Andi
-- 
  http://home.arcor.de/andreas-barth/