Bug#1034443: python3-brial: uninstallable on arcitectures where sagemath is unavailable, breaks building of singular

[Paul Gevers]

Hi Peter, all,

On Sat, 15 Apr 2023 15:33:04 +0100 Peter Green <plugwash at debian.org> wrote:
> * The architecture list of python3-brial needs to be limited to architectures
>    where python3-sage is available.

I claim this is wrong. Would python3-sage one day build on more 
architectures, this list would need manual updating. Instead of 
hard-coding the list, it's better to ensure the build doesn't happen or 
fails on architectures where python3-sage is not available. E.g. by 
build-depending (ideally with a build profile indicating that the 
*build* itself works; I suggest <!nocheck>). Technically I even think 
that this isn't a bug in python3-brial. Assuming the dependency is real 
and unavoidable, than being uninstallable is bug in the depending on 
package, but not an RC one.

> * The build-dependency of singular on python3-brial needs to be either
>    removed or limited to architectures where python3-sage is available

This seems to be your real issue. Why file the bug against python3-brial?

> * Removal of the old python3-brial packages needs to be requested.

Assuming something is done to prevent the binaries from building, then 
yes, obviously. However, why would we consider arch:<something> 
uninstallable packages different than arch:all uninstallable packages if 
the reason is the same: depending on a binary that's not build on some 
arch. Do our tools have different expectations for them?

Paul
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