Bug#1143190: reproducibility: codes_get_build_date() returns library build date

[Drew Parsons]

Source: eccodes
Version: 2.48.0-1
Severity: normal

eccodes upstream has seen fit to make the library build date a part of
their API via codes_get_build_date()

The build date is set via src/eccodes/grib_api_version.cc.in

https://github.com/ecmwf/eccodes/blob/develop/src/eccodes/grib_api_version.cc.in

see also
https://github.com/ecmwf/eccodes/blob/f923a68eb9ce626db79f54bfe118865c8d688977/src/eccodes/eccodes.h#L1257
https://github.com/ecmwf/eccodes/blob/f923a68eb9ce626db79f54bfe118865c8d688977/src/eccodes/eccodes_prototypes.h#L758
https://github.com/ecmwf/eccodes/blob/f923a68eb9ce626db79f54bfe118865c8d688977/tools/codes_info.cc#L59
https://github.com/ecmwf/eccodes/blob/f923a68eb9ce626db79f54bfe118865c8d688977/tests/unit_tests.cc#L79


Debian now has an enforced policy of reproducible builds, which is
deliberately violated by eccodes through this codes_get_build_date()

So we have a problem. What is the best way to resolve it?

Hard code the "build date" to the tag release date?
Or to the original first eccodes date, Mar 25, 2013?

Or ask the release team for an exception to the reproducible builds
policy?