[Bug 494161] Re: dpkg --auto-deconfigure does not deconfigure dependencies

[Raphaël Hertzog]

This is true but it's not clear that -B has been meant for this case.
It's used when there are Breaks involved, when a package is temporarily
dropped because it's replaced.

** Changed in: dpkg (Ubuntu)
   Importance: Undecided => Low

** Changed in: dpkg (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Triaged

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Title:
  dpkg --auto-deconfigure does not deconfigure dependencies

Status in “dpkg” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: dpkg

  When attempting to uninstall openssh-client, I came across a
  dependency problem: openssh-server depends on openssh-client.  I need
  to remove it so I figured I would use the -B (--auto-deconfigure)
  argument and everything would uninstall. It does not.

  There is no difference between the output of `dpkg -r openssh-client`
  and `dpkg -Br openssh-client` (or `dpkg --auto-deconfigure -r openssh-
  client`).

  Here is the output of dpkg:

  dpkg: dependency problems prevent removal of openssh-client:
   openssh-server depends on openssh-client (= 1:4.7p1-8ubuntu1.2).
  dpkg: error processing openssh-client (--remove):
   dependency problems - not removing
  Errors were encountered while processing:
   openssh-client

  I am able to remove both packages with the following command: `dpkg -r
  openssh-server openssh-client`

  I have the same results on Ubuntu Desktop 8.04 and Ubuntu Server 8.04
  on separate machines.

  Ubuntu 8.04.3 LTS (server)
  Ubuntu 8.04.1 (desktop)
  dpkg version: 1.14.16.6ubuntu4 (both)

  From the dpkg manual:

         -B|--auto-deconfigure
  	      When  a  package	is removed, there is a possibility that
  	      another installed package depended on the  removed  pack-
  	      age.  Specifying	this option will cause automatic decon-
  	      figuration of the package which depended on  the	removed
  	      package.

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