[Python-modules-team] Bug#830186: sphinx: intersphinx mapping extension causes network access during package builds

[Chris Lamb]

Source: sphinx
Version: 1.4.4-3
Severity: serious
Justification: Policy 4.9
User: lamby at debian.org
Usertags: network-access

Hi,

According to Debian Policy 4.9, packages may not attempt network
access during the build. However, the intersphinx mapping extension
causes attempted network access in almost all of Sphinx' reverse
build- dependencies.

(Note that the network access does not cause a FTBFS if internet is
disabled, but it may cause a package to contain different contents
and is thus non-reproducible.)

I've filed this against Sphinx, but I think a fix will require at
least two changes:

 - A patch to Sphinx to disable network access based on some
   flag/environment variable.

 - dh-python (etc.) updated to set this specific flag.

Filed as "serious" given that I could /technically/ file RC bugs
against all of Sphinx's reverse dependencies but this seems less
anti-social…


Regards,

-- 
      ,''`.
     : :'  :     Chris Lamb
     `. `'`      lamby at debian.org / chris-lamb.co.uk
       `-