[Aptitude-devel] Bug#671486: aptitude: does not select prefered alternative on alternative replacement

[Yann Dirson]

Package: aptitude
Version: 0.6.6-1

* Base situation:

$ apt-cache policy phonon
phonon:
  Installed: 4:4.6.0really4.5.1-1
  Candidate: 4:4.6.0.0-1

alternative "phonon-backend-vlc | phonon-backend" provided by phonon-backend-xine


* problem:

# aptitude dist-upgrade
The following packages will be upgraded:
  phonon{b}
...
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 phonon : Conflicts: phonon-backend-xine but 4:4.6.0really4.4.4-4 is installed.
The following actions will resolve these dependencies:

      Remove the following packages:
...
4)      kdebase-runtime
...
15)     phonon
16)     phonon-backend-xine
...
      Leave the following dependencies unresolved:
19)     kdelibs5-plugins recommends kde-runtime

Accept this solution? [Y/n/q/?] r 15
Rejecting the removal of phonon

Accept this solution? [Y/n/q/?] n
The following actions will resolve these dependencies:

     Remove the following packages:               
1)     phonon-backend-xine                        

     Install the following packages:              
2)     phonon-backend-null [4:4.6.0.0-1 (testing)]


=> phonon-backend-null appears to be taken randomly, while there is a prefered alternative listed

Also note the side problem of an alternative removing 18 packages and breaking a Recommends
being prefered over selecting another alternative.  Maybe worth split the bug for this one ?

-- 
Yann Dirson - Bertin Technologies