[Pkg-javascript-devel] must node-* packages depend on nodejs or not?

[Jonas Smedegaard]

Quoting Pirate Praveen (2020-09-06 14:27:11)
> 
> 
> On Sun, Sep 6, 2020 at 13:43, Jonas Smedegaard <dr at jones.dk> wrote:
> > Today changes was made to several node-* packages, dropping their 
> > dependency on nodejs.
> > 
> > Perl libraries must depend on perl.
> > 
> > Python3 libraries must depend on python3.
> > 
> > It is my understanding that nodejs libraries currently follow same 
> > logic.
> > 
> > If I am mistaken, then what is the policy for Nodejs libraries?
> > 
> > Should we change policy?  If so, why?
> > 
> > Not why sloppy package relations might be convenient (e.g. when 
> > targeting both nodejs and browser use in same binary package), but 
> > why is it reasonable that we switch to a more sloppy policy?
> > 
> > If it is not reasonable, then please revert those changes, Praveen.
> 
> This is in line with what CTTE ruled and already followed by ruby 
> team.
> 
> > 
> https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=934948#54

Thanks.

I was clearly mistaken: I have now (after reading above CTTE ruling) 
learned that there is _no_ rule in Debian that "Python3 libraries must 
depend on python3" - instead the reason for the required runtime 
dependency is that Python does byte-compilation in a postinst hook.

(I don't know if Perl dependency is cargo cult or what its logic is)

>From now on - unless someone stops me and convinces me otherwise - I 
will practice the following, and recommend all in the team to do the 
same:

a) node-* packages _only_ shipping nodejs library code should _not_ 
depend on nodejs.

b) node-* packages shipping both nodejs library code and web browser 
library code should _not_ depend on nodejs.

c) node-* packages shipping both nodejs library code and a user-facing 
non-essential executable should _recommend_ nodejs.

d) node-* packages shipping both nodejs library code and a user-facing 
essential executable should ship the executable in a _separate_ 
non-library package which depends on the library package and nodejs, and 
the node-* package should _not_ depend on nodejs.


 - Jonas

-- 
 * Jonas Smedegaard - idealist & Internet-arkitekt
 * Tlf.: +45 40843136  Website: http://dr.jones.dk/

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