[Build-common-hackers] Bug#577613: lintian: build-depends-on-python-dev-with-no-arch-any

[Frank Lin PIAT]

Package: cdbs
Version: 0.4.77
Severity: wishlist

Hello,

Python packages built with CDBS Build-depend on python-dev, even though
a build-depends on python would be enough. The lintian warning[1],
which is consistent with python policy:

The python policy (appendix A)[1], mention that:
> Build dependencies for Python dependent packages must be declared for
> every Python version that the package is built for. The python-all-dev
> should be used when building modules for any or all Python versions.
> To build for a specific version or versions, Build-Depend on
> pythonX.Y-dev.

**It also says**:
> Some applications and pure Python modules may be able to build-depend
> only on python or python-all and not require the -dev packages.

Lintian warning[1] is consistent with the later paragraph.

It would be nice if cdbs could detect whether python-dev is needed or
python if enough.

Alternatively, please better document that one should set:
  CDBS_BUILD_DEPENDS_class_python-distutils = python
or
  CDBS_BUILD_DEPENDS_class_python-distutils = python-all


Thanks,

Franklin

[1] http://lintian.debian.org/tags/build-depends-on-python-dev-with-no-arch-any.html

-- System Information:
Debian Release: squeeze/sid
  APT prefers testing
  APT policy: (500, 'testing'), (101, 'unstable'), (10, 'experimental')
Architecture: i386 (x86_64)

Kernel: Linux 2.6.32-4-amd64 (SMP w/2 CPU cores)
Locale: LANG=en_US.UTF-8, LC_CTYPE=en_US.UTF-8 (charmap=UTF-8)
Shell: /bin/sh linked to /bin/dash

Versions of packages cdbs depends on:
ii  debhelper                     7.4.17     helper programs for debian/rules

Versions of packages cdbs recommends:
ii  autotools-dev                 20100122.1 Update infrastructure for config.{

Versions of packages cdbs suggests:
ii  devscripts                    2.10.61    scripts to make the life of a Debi
ii  doc-base                      0.9.5      utilities to manage online documen

-- no debconf information