[Bug 1255073] [NEW] dpkg --foreign-architecture does not work

[Sitsofe Wheeler]

Public bug reported:

Description of the problem:
Trying to use dpkg --foreign-architecture results in an error message.

Steps to reproduce:
1. Run
sudo dpkg --foreign-architecture i386

Expected result:
Foreign architecture i386 to be added to dpkg.

Actual result:
The following error message is printed:
# dpkg --foreign-architecture i386
dpkg: error: need an action option

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages [*];
Use `dselect' or `aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked [*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through `less' or `more' !
root at ubuntu:~# 

How reproducible is the problem?
It is reproducible every time.

Additional information:
Here is what the man page says for --foreign-architecture:
ACTIONS
[...]
       --foreign-architecture architecture
              Add  architecture  to the list of architectures for which
              packages can be installed without using --force-architec‐
              ture,  in  addition to the architecture dpkg is built for
              (i.e.: the output of --print-architecture).

So because it is in the ACTIONS section it is itself an action option
(like --print-foreign-architectures).

Version information:
Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS
dpkg 1.16.1.2ubuntu

** Affects: dpkg (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1255073

Title:
  dpkg --foreign-architecture does not work

Status in “dpkg” package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Description of the problem:
  Trying to use dpkg --foreign-architecture results in an error message.

  Steps to reproduce:
  1. Run
  sudo dpkg --foreign-architecture i386

  Expected result:
  Foreign architecture i386 to be added to dpkg.

  Actual result:
  The following error message is printed:
  # dpkg --foreign-architecture i386
  dpkg: error: need an action option

  Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages [*];
  Use `dselect' or `aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
  Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
  Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
  Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

  Options marked [*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through `less' or `more' !
  root at ubuntu:~# 

  How reproducible is the problem?
  It is reproducible every time.

  Additional information:
  Here is what the man page says for --foreign-architecture:
  ACTIONS
  [...]
         --foreign-architecture architecture
                Add  architecture  to the list of architectures for which
                packages can be installed without using --force-architec‐
                ture,  in  addition to the architecture dpkg is built for
                (i.e.: the output of --print-architecture).

  So because it is in the ACTIONS section it is itself an action option
  (like --print-foreign-architectures).

  Version information:
  Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS
  dpkg 1.16.1.2ubuntu

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