[Bug 1031146] [NEW] apt-ftparchive mangles leading whitespace in package descriptions

[Steve Langasek]

Public bug reported:

The skype package in the Ubuntu partner archive has the following
description:

$ dpkg -I ~/partner/pool/partner/s/skype/skype_4.0.0.8-0oneiric1_i386.deb  | sed -n -e'/^ Description:/,$p'
 Description: client for Skype VOIP and instant messaging service
  Skype is software that enables the world's conversations.  Millions of
  individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls,
  send instant messages and share files with other Skype users.  Every day,
  people also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
  .
   * Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone else, anywhere in the world.
   * Call to landlines and mobiles at great rates.
   * Group chat with up to 200 people or conference call with up to 25 others.
   * Free to download.
$

However, when copied to the Packages file by apt-ftparchive, the leading
spaces before the bullet points are being lost:

$ grep-dctrl -sDescription -X -FPackage skype -a -F Version 4.0.0.8-0oneiric1 /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.canonical.com_dists_quantal_partner_binary-i386_Packages 
Description: client for Skype VOIP and instant messaging service
 Skype is software that enables the world's conversations.  Millions of
 individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls,
 send instant messages and share files with other Skype users.  Every day,
 people also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
 .
 * Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone else, anywhere in the world.
 * Call to landlines and mobiles at great rates.
 * Group chat with up to 200 people or conference call with up to 25 others.
 * Free to download.
$

This is reproducible with the apt-ftparchive in quantal.

This is a bug; Debian policy 5.6.13 defines two leading spaces on a line
in a description field as the indicator for a line that must be
displayed verbatim.  Therefore, apt-ftparchive *must* preserve these
leading spaces when copying to the Packages file; otherwise clients will
not format the text the way it was intended.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: apt-utils 0.9.7.1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-6.6-generic 3.5.0
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-6-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.4-0ubuntu6
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Jul 30 16:48:36 2012
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100816.1)
SourcePackage: apt
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to quantal on 2012-06-11 (49 days ago)

** Affects: apt (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Medium
         Status: Triaged


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug quantal running-unity

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1031146

Title:
  apt-ftparchive mangles leading whitespace in package descriptions

Status in “apt” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  The skype package in the Ubuntu partner archive has the following
  description:

  $ dpkg -I ~/partner/pool/partner/s/skype/skype_4.0.0.8-0oneiric1_i386.deb  | sed -n -e'/^ Description:/,$p'
   Description: client for Skype VOIP and instant messaging service
    Skype is software that enables the world's conversations.  Millions of
    individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls,
    send instant messages and share files with other Skype users.  Every day,
    people also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
    .
     * Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone else, anywhere in the world.
     * Call to landlines and mobiles at great rates.
     * Group chat with up to 200 people or conference call with up to 25 others.
     * Free to download.
  $

  However, when copied to the Packages file by apt-ftparchive, the
  leading spaces before the bullet points are being lost:

  $ grep-dctrl -sDescription -X -FPackage skype -a -F Version 4.0.0.8-0oneiric1 /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.canonical.com_dists_quantal_partner_binary-i386_Packages 
  Description: client for Skype VOIP and instant messaging service
   Skype is software that enables the world's conversations.  Millions of
   individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls,
   send instant messages and share files with other Skype users.  Every day,
   people also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
   .
   * Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone else, anywhere in the world.
   * Call to landlines and mobiles at great rates.
   * Group chat with up to 200 people or conference call with up to 25 others.
   * Free to download.
  $

  This is reproducible with the apt-ftparchive in quantal.

  This is a bug; Debian policy 5.6.13 defines two leading spaces on a
  line in a description field as the indicator for a line that must be
  displayed verbatim.  Therefore, apt-ftparchive *must* preserve these
  leading spaces when copying to the Packages file; otherwise clients
  will not format the text the way it was intended.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
  Package: apt-utils 0.9.7.1ubuntu1
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-6.6-generic 3.5.0
  Uname: Linux 3.5.0-6-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.4-0ubuntu6
  Architecture: amd64
  Date: Mon Jul 30 16:48:36 2012
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100816.1)
  SourcePackage: apt
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to quantal on 2012-06-11 (49 days ago)

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