Bug#397045: ant - java-gcj-compat-dev as dependency

[Michael Koch]

On Sun, Mar 04, 2007 at 09:45:52AM +0000, Paul Cager wrote:
> apt-get won't, of course, install the recommended packages, but I don't
> think I can put up any strong defence for "Depends", which is defined in
> the policy as:
> 
>     "required ... to provide a significant amount of functionality"
> 
> I admit defeat and agree it should be Recommends.

apt-get was never meant as a usertool. It was meant to be used as
backend for tools time aptitiude and synaptio. I *think* even dselect
can use it. I#m not sure about this as I never used dselect. IMO the
preferred tool for users is aptitude, synaptic and friends.

> The warning message "unable to locate tools.jar" is a bit cryptic, but
> it should be followed later by an error "Unable to find a javac
> compiler". Is there anything else we could do to make it more obvious to
> the user that he/she needs to install a compiler? Amend the package's
> description maybe? Expand the Debian Java FAQ?

Mention this in the README.Debian of ant. Every user is expected to read
it first when he has problems with a given package. I think this is
enough and the best way to support installations without compiler which
are unusual but possible.


Cheers,
Michael
-- 
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