[Aptitude-devel] Bug#707662: Bug#707662: reinstall doesn't rewrite missing files

[Daniel Hartwig]

Hello

On 10 May 2013 09:04,  <jidanni at jidanni.org> wrote:
> Package: aptitude
> Version: 0.6.9.1-1
> Severity: wishlist
>
> The man page should note that reinstall doesn't fix missing files...
> # mv /etc/apache2/conf-available/php5-cgi.conf
> # aptitude reinstall php5-cgi
> # ls ... not found

That is a conffile.  It will be recreated if you purge and then
install, however reinstall does not work like that (more like remove
then install; or upgrade) as otherwise a reinstall will lose user
data.

Had you tested this on a non-conffile, you would see that reinstall
does recreate such files.

> apt-get's man page should also note this.
>
> In fact what indeed reinstall does do, if anything, should be mentioned in detail.

I believe the apt-get man page is sufficiently clear, where aptitudes
could use perhaps some expansion.  Removing and cleansing of conffiles
is only mentioned for "purge", and there is no expectation of this
happening elsewhere.

Regards