[Pkg-spca5xx-devel] Bug#481752: Bug#481752: Cannot install on a custom kernel

[Kel Modderman]

tags 481752 wishlist
thanks

On Sunday 18 May 2008 21:46:41 Jonny Lamb wrote:
> Package: gspca-source
> Version: 01.00.20-1
> Severity: grave
> Justification: Makes package uninstallable

gspca-source is installable just fine ;-)

Sarcasm aside, I partially agree with you, but do not agree with the severity
considering the justification given. My reasoning is below.

> 
> Hi,
> 
> I just tried installing the gspca kernel module using module-assistant. I use
> a custom kernel, downloaded straight from kernel.org, compiled and
> installed myself, and because the kernel module package *depends* on a
> kernel, the package installation fails for me:
> 
>     dpkg -Ei /usr/src/gspca-modules-2.6.24.2_01.00.20-1_i386.deb 
>     Selecting previously deselected package gspca-modules-2.6.24.2.
>     (Reading database ... 178712 files and directories currently installed.)
>     Unpacking gspca-modules-2.6.24.2 (from .../gspca-modules-2.6.24.2_01.00.20-1_i386.deb) ...
>     dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gspca-modules-2.6.24.2:
>      gspca-modules-2.6.24.2 depends on linux-image-2.6.24.2 | kernel-image-2.6.24.2; however:
>       Package linux-image-2.6.24.2 is not installed.
>       Package kernel-image-2.6.24.2 is not installed.
>     dpkg: error processing gspca-modules-2.6.24.2 (--install):
>      dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
>     Errors were encountered while processing:
>      gspca-modules-2.6.24.2
> 
> I had a quick look at other packages that provide -source packages (for
> example rt2500), and it looks like the kernel packages should be recommended, not
> depended on. I include a patch to fix this below:

Not the various module packages I maintain, personally I like to hard depend
to make removal of all kernel _and_ modules a pleasent experience.

There is no policy or best practise for this situation, only opinions, as far as I know.

> 
> diff -Nruad -Nruad gspca-01.00.20.orig/debian/control.modules.in gspca-01.00.20/debian/control.modules.in
> --- gspca-01.00.20.orig/debian/control.modules.in  2008-05-18 12:36:49.000000000 +0100
> +++ gspca-01.00.20/debian/control.modules.in       2008-05-18 12:37:44.000000000 +0100
> @@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
>  
>  Package: gspca-modules-_KVERS_
>  Architecture: any
> -Depends: linux-image-_KVERS_ | kernel-image-_KVERS_
> +Recommends: linux-image-_KVERS_ | kernel-image-_KVERS_
>  Provides: gspca-modules
>  Conflicts: spca5xx-modules-_KVERS_
>  Description: gspca modules for Linux (kernel _KVERS_)
> 

Your patch will be applied immediately, but I do not know when the next upload
will be.

Thanks, Kel.