[Bug 146398] Re: gdebi ignores Replaces directive in case of Conflict

[Michael Vogt]

I pushed a branch with a (failing) test case for this to:
 lp:~mvo/python-apt/improve-replace-handling

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/146398

Title:
  gdebi ignores Replaces directive in case of Conflict

Status in “gdebi” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: gdebi

  I have encountered this problem with the CrossOver Office
  (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/) packages. They come in
  multiple flavors, but only one can be installed at a given time. The
  more capable flavors use the 'Replaces' directive to smoothly
  'upgrade' the less capable ones.This works fine with dpkg, but gdebi
  instead gives me an error as if the Replaces directive was not there
  (this directive is described in section 7.5.2 of the Debian Policy
  Manual).

  I have reproduced the situation with dummy packages so you have all the details. You can get them there:
   * source (1.4KB)
     http://fgouget.free.fr/tmp/gdebi/foo-packages.tar.gz
   * basic package (1.2KB)
     http://fgouget.free.fr/tmp/gdebi/foo_1.0.0-1_i386.deb
   * sophisticated package (1.2KB)
     http://fgouget.free.fr/tmp/gdebi/foo-pro_1.0.0-1_i386.deb

  Here is how to reproduce the problem:

  $ sudo gdebi foo_1.0.0-1_i386.deb
  Reading package lists: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  Package for testing gdebi's Replaces support
   This is the package to be replaced by the more 'sophisticated' version.
  Do you want to install the software package? [y/N]:y
  Selecting previously deselected package foo.
  (Reading database ... 151236 files and directories currently installed.)
  Unpacking foo (from foo_1.0.0-1_i386.deb) ...
  Setting up foo (1.0.0-1) ...

  $ sudo gdebi foo-pro_1.0.0-1_i386.deb
  Reading package lists: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  Reading state information: Done
  This package is uninstallable
  Conflicts with the installed package 'foo'

  So gdebi does not want to replace the foo package with foo-pro. I
  think it should maybe warn the user but still allow him to proceed.
  With dpkg there is no issue:

  $ dpkg -i foo-pro_1.0.0-1_i386.deb
  Selecting previously deselected package foo-pro.
  dpkg: considering removing foo in favour of foo-pro ...
  dpkg: yes, will remove foo in favour of foo-pro.
  (Reading database ... 151239 files and directories currently installed.)
  Unpacking foo-pro (from foo-pro_1.0.0-1_i386.deb) ...
  Setting up foo-pro (1.0.0-1) ...

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