Bug#972543: apt-file: Apt-update downloads full Contents file, not pdiffs

[Niels Thykier <niels@thykier.net>]

Control: tags -1 moreinfo unreproducible

Calum McConnell:
> Package: apt-file
> Version: 3.2.2
> Severity: normal
> X-Debbugs-Cc: calumlikesapplepie@gmail.com
>
> Basically, on every call to apt-update that isn't completely trivial (ie, at least
> 1 package changed), my computer downloads the full 60 Mb of Contents files.  This
> is irritating, for while I am often on a fast internet, I frequently find myself on
> a very slow connection.  
> 
> I know my config file enables pdiffs (and I attached it so you can know, too).
> The Readme talks a lot about pdiffs, and why I should enable them, but except for
> one sentence, it doesn't mention anything about apt update.  (The sentence in 
> question *could* be interpreted to mean that apt update will never download
> Pdiffs, but that is unlikely, given its context).
> 
> I don't know what's the cause.  If you need me to get a log file, I can, but
> Apt doesnt include these files in its final output: only while it is
> drawing progress bars.
> 
> Thank you!
> Calum
> 
> [...]
Hi Calum,

I am sorry to hear it does not work as expected.

All of the Contents downloading is outsourced to apt, so most likely it
is a configuration (or a bug in apt itself).  Can you provide the
output/contents of?

  $ apt-config dump Acquire::IndexTargets
  file:/etc/apt/apt-file.conf  (if it exists)

This will show the effective fetching configuration for apt and apt-file.

Relatedly, just to confirm: The bug is on the system you are reporting
from (i.e. running testing/sid) and you run "apt update" at least once a
week.  Are these assumptions of mine correct?

Thanks,
~Niels