[Fedora-packaging] Using alternatives

[Dominik 'Rathann' Mierzejewski]

On Monday, 19 May 2008 at 23:39, Patrice Dumas wrote:
> On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 09:51:32PM +0200, Dominik 'Rathann' Mierzejewski wrote:
> > Hi.
> > 
> > While reviewing a package, I stumbled across the use of alternatives
> > and found out it's not regulated in any way in Fedora. So far, I've
> > encountered three ways of handling the symlinks that are set up using
> > alternatives:
> > 1. some packages have Provides: for them (like cups or postfix),
> 
> Not all files are provided, only 
> /usr/bin/mailq  
> /usr/bin/newaliases  
> /usr/bin/rmail  
> /usr/sbin/sendmail  
> while man pages are not provided. I think it is right like this.

I'm not so sure. I'd like to be able to tell what package provides sendmail(1)
manpage.

> > 2. some don't own those files at all (like lam or scim),
> > 3. some %ghost them.
> > 
> > All seem to work, but in case of 2. it's not possible to find out which
> > packages own/provide those files using rpm -qf, thus I consider it an
> > inferior solution.
> 
> I don't think it is that important. Having that right would mean
> providing all the files in alternatives which could make a lot. In my
> opinion the provided files  should be those that make sense to have as
> provides (or as yum install /usr/..../file).
> 
> > Personally, I'm leaning towards 1., but I don't see any disadvantages
> > in 3., either. Comments?
> 
> Doesn't %ghost leads to the file being removed?

If only one package was installed, the file would be removed, but if there
are two that %ghost the same file, it stays until the last package owning it
is removed.

> > Having said that, I'm going to write up a guideline to cover that. I expect
> > to have a presentable draft ready in a week or two.
> 
> I don't think a guideline is needed, except if there are specific
> pitfalls. Some advices may be nice, though. I remember that I asked for 
> some when I first got interested in fedora.

Well, *some* hints are definitely necessary. I was a bit in the dark
when I tried to review a package that used alternatives and couldn't
find any solid information, only different solutions.

Regards,
R.

-- 
Fedora contributor http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/DominikMierzejewski
Livna contributor http://rpm.livna.org MPlayer developer http://mplayerhq.hu
"Faith manages."
        -- Delenn to Lennier in Babylon 5:"Confessions and Lamentations"