[debian-mysql] Bug#732878: Add MariaDB as an alternative dependency

[Clint Byrum]

Excerpts from Otto Kekäläinen's message of 2013-12-26 15:13:15 -0800:
> 2013/12/25 Thomas Goirand <zigo at debian.org>:
> > Don't you think it would be more reasonable if the mariadb-client
> > contained a Provides: mysql-client, rather than changing each and every
> > software dependency in Debian?
> 
> Currently the package contains "Provides: virtual-mysql-server" but I
> guess this needs to be re-evaluated in the packaging team and the
> rationale documented better, as I have already forgot why we ended up
> with what we have now..
> 

mysql-server has been a meta-package, not a virtual package, so I think
it carries certain properties that make it unsuitable for transition
to pure virtual package status. Using it as a provides in MariaDB and
other MySQL forks would put them at a disadvantage because if one is
not installed then the pure upstream one would be installed.

What I think should probably happen is package maintainers should put
these in for any situation where a mysql server is suggested (I don't
believe anything should recommend or depend on mysql-server given that
it generally is accessed as a network service)

Suggests: the-one-they-tested-with | virtual-mysql-server