Bug#567669: [apt] apt_preferences(5) should warn novice users
Package: apt
Version: 0.7.25.2
Severity: normal
Tags: patch
Please consider to warn novice user for implications of APT preferences
file usages with attached patch to apt_preferences(5) or its equivalent.
(doc/apt_preferences.5.xml)
Casual and careless use of preferences by novice users tends to cause
instability to the system. I saw people recommending to use almost
random mixture of stable+testing+unstable without any fear on
debian-user ML. Their confidence of security was traced to
apt_preferences(5) which did not give warning explicitly enough. Thus I
am filing this bug report.
(Although most packages now provide versioned dependency to ensure
proper function under mixed apt sources.list environment, it is not
bullet proof. Debian policy does not mandate versioned dependency to
ensure stability of mixed system.)
Osamu
--- apt_preferences.5.xml.orig 2010-01-30 23:27:05.000000000 +0900
+++ apt_preferences.5.xml 2010-01-31 00:00:30.000000000 +0900
@@ -53,6 +53,15 @@
The APT preferences file does not affect the choice of instance, only
the choice of version.</para>
+<para> It is the responsibility of the system administrator to ensure
+compatibility and consistency of package versions installed to the system when
+the APT preferences file is used. The power to override the system default
+using the APT preferences file must be exerted with great care since it may
+break system stability normally provided by the distribution. Mixing more than
+one distribution such as <literal>stable</literal> and
+<literal>testing</literal> without very good understanding of these
+complications tends to cause unstable system. You are warned!</para>
+
<para>Note that the files in the <filename>/etc/apt/preferences.d</filename>
directory are parsed in alphanumeric ascending order and need to obey the
following naming convention: The files have no or "<literal>pref</literal>"
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