On Mon, 17 Aug 2009, Sebastian Siebert wrote:
Hello,
At first I'm a maintainer of PokerTH for packaging on openSUSE systems. I want to discuss with you a simple problem.
Unfortunately I see a problem with a bad consultation between you and me as packager with dependet package in OBS. In my case the package PokerTH needs boost package. Any time the boost package was updated from 1.38 to 1.39. The Upstream from PokerTH know about a established problem in boost 1.39, so the new library let crash the PokerTH-Server. For my case I have to consult the boost packager for patching the boost package. The patching is a least problem. The biggest problem is the nonconsultation with all of packager of dependet packages before any update of the dependet packages. The maintainer of package (e.g. boost) is completely blind to me as packager (PokerTH), but backwards I know which package depend on other sub-packages.
This communication order isn't a problem e.g.: Package PokerTH -> Package boost -> Package glibc Package Wesnoth -> Package boost -> Package glibc
In this case all packages are completely blind afterwards e.g.: Package glibc -> Package boost -> Package PokerTH Package glibc -> Package boost -> Package Wesnoth
This example isn't only for boost, but also other dependet packages. I think, all other packagers have the same problem.
On this note we need a simple communication platform for packager like Wiki-pages or something like that. On this platform every packager see which package depends with other package and can easily consulte the other packager or inform of a upcoming update of sub-package. In this case we have a chance to discuss about potential bugs, incompatiblity and so on. I wish more communication with packager from dependet packages.
What do you think about this situation? How we can change this situation?
If you are aware about a problem in boost 1.39 and you depend on boost
you should notify the packager of boost of this problem, for example
by filing a bugreport. If you do this in advance then this situation
may be avoided.
I see no other way the situation can be improved.
Richard.
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Richard Guenther