Re: Dependency problem

[Ed Cogburn <ecogburn@greene.xtn.net>]

Big Gaute wrote:
> 
> I downloaded the source to angband and compiled it myself, so that I
> wouldn't have to install ncurses34.  It now works perfectly.  I then put
> the package on hold, so that my version will not be automatically
> replaced.  However when I attempt an apt-get dist-upgrade apt wants to
> install ncurses34.  How come?


	In potato, ncurses is a "required" package in section base.  I don't
remember what its status is in slink.  If you are planning to upgrade
to potato one day, ncurses will get installed anyway.

	If you've compiled it yourself, what do you need the binary deb
package for?  Just leave it uninstalled.

	The hold implies a temporary condition which will change, i.e. the
package will be unheld at some point.  So dpkg still considers the
dependencies on that held package to be valid, as long as that held
package is installed.  Your situation is a good example of why the
'hold' process should be reconsidered.  I think a 'hold' should
automatically be a 'hold' on the dependencies of the held package as
well.


-- 
Ed C.