[Bug 1869721] [NEW] Apt error message gives incorrect syntax

[James E. LaBarre]

Public bug reported:

in Apt, when trying to reinstall or remove problem packages, if the
process is unable to run, it says there are unmet dependencies.  It then
suggest a command to run to fix the problems.  This would be the proper
procedure for this, however the suggested command it provides is wrong.


$ lsb_release -rd
Description:	Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia
Release:	19.3

apt:
  Installed: 1.6.12
  Candidate: 1.6.12
  Version table:
 *** 1.6.12 500
        500 http://mirrors.tripadvisor.com/ubuntu bionic-updates/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.6.6ubuntu0.1 500
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-security/main amd64 Packages
     1.6.1 500
        500 http://mirrors.tripadvisor.com/ubuntu bionic/main amd64 Packages

Expected behavior:

failed reinstall/uninstall command should show correct syntax for
recommended command.  In this case it should be "apt install --fix-
broken", or "sudo apt install --fix-broken" (verified myself by running
that command).


Actual behavior:

output from failed command ended with
"E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt --fix-broken install' with no packages (or specify a solution)."
Running the command as it is shown there results in apt giving a syntax summary, rather than running the intended command.
It was only by guessing at alternative formats on the command that got it to work.  The format as shown in the incorrect example would have seemed more logical, as the older apt-get equivalent was "apt-get -f install", with the option switch before the command.

It is up to the devs to decide whether the switch before or after the
command is correct, just as long as the correct and functional form is
shown in the error.

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

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1869721

Title:
  Apt error message gives incorrect syntax

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  in Apt, when trying to reinstall or remove problem packages, if the
  process is unable to run, it says there are unmet dependencies.  It
  then suggest a command to run to fix the problems.  This would be the
  proper procedure for this, however the suggested command it provides
  is wrong.

  
  $ lsb_release -rd
  Description:	Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia
  Release:	19.3

  apt:
    Installed: 1.6.12
    Candidate: 1.6.12
    Version table:
   *** 1.6.12 500
          500 http://mirrors.tripadvisor.com/ubuntu bionic-updates/main amd64 Packages
          100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
       1.6.6ubuntu0.1 500
          500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-security/main amd64 Packages
       1.6.1 500
          500 http://mirrors.tripadvisor.com/ubuntu bionic/main amd64 Packages

  Expected behavior:

  failed reinstall/uninstall command should show correct syntax for
  recommended command.  In this case it should be "apt install --fix-
  broken", or "sudo apt install --fix-broken" (verified myself by
  running that command).

  
  Actual behavior:

  output from failed command ended with
  "E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt --fix-broken install' with no packages (or specify a solution)."
  Running the command as it is shown there results in apt giving a syntax summary, rather than running the intended command.
  It was only by guessing at alternative formats on the command that got it to work.  The format as shown in the incorrect example would have seemed more logical, as the older apt-get equivalent was "apt-get -f install", with the option switch before the command.

  It is up to the devs to decide whether the switch before or after the
  command is correct, just as long as the correct and functional form is
  shown in the error.

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