DEB vs RPM (Was: RE: [oclug] the unix way)

[Gilles J. Seguin]

Jonathan Earle wrote:
> 
> You spoke, but did not really speak to the point.  DEB and RPM packages
> suffer from the _same_ problem, that being lack of discipline on the part of
> package maintainers insofar as building properly thought out dependancies.
> This is notsaying Debian... it's naysaying some of the people building the
> DEBs.  My example stands... why do I have to install LDAP just to get a
> mailer?

Because the application does not used dynamic loading at run
time. If the application provide this option. What append to the
dependencies ? Is it one or not if you do not used it.

Package now exist that allow modification to the application
package manager specification such that recompilation of this
application is feasible.

Application developper normaly used autoconf package to
resolve the problem of platform, OS, and libraries
discrepencies.  This will allow you to choose your preferred
library.

In your case, adding --without-ldap to the configure line
and re-packaging will had taking less time than writing
this letter.

Go to a car dealer, and tell him that is stupid to provide
cars with a radio because it cost more.

> This is a stupid dependancy, any way you wish to cut the cake.  I
> refuse to simply listen to Debian party line, regurgitating only "good
> facts" and ignoring the deficiencies.  Proper, constructive criticism is
> crucial in this open source environment... otherwise, why are we
> bothering with it?
> 
> Personally, I've had the same issues with both package systems:  stupid
> dependancies, broken packages (admittedly less often with DEBs) and faulty
> package installers.  Sometimes you need to update apt, sometimes rpm.  The
> only advantage Debian seems to have is that it can do it online whereas
> rpm requires the packages downloaded first (I haven't played with the
> RH up2date util which IIRC should do the same online, automagic updating).
> Small difference, but it's important (religious?) to some.
> 
> Just as there are sore spots (that I have) with the DEB system, there are
> good things too and we seem to agree on those points.  Just fix those
> bloody dependancies!  :)
> 
> Cheers!
> Jon