[Bug 1876586] [NEW] Package dependencies cannot be resolved

Sun May 3 14:09:58 UTC 2020

Public bug reported:

Every once in a while, the Software Updater window pops up as expected
letting me know that there are updates ready to download and install.

Lately I have been clicking on "remind me later" every time for several
weeks and only today I have finally clicked on "install now" (or "update
now" or whatever the button is called).

I don't know whether that's relevant: had I installed the updates before
rather than delaying them for many days, would I have got the same
error? I don't know. Either way, that shouldn't be a problem.

Now that I did, I got this error (see attached screenshot).

First of all, if I get a "dependencies cannot be resolved" error,
whatever it means, there's a bug somewhere. You are the package manager,
it's your job to resolve and install dependencies. I have done nothing
to prevent you from doing so, so if you can't resolve and install all
the needed dependencies, something is wrong somewhere.

Secondly, the error message doesn't tell me anything that I can act
upon. What am I supposed to do? It's great that you give me information
about the error but it's not enough if you don't give me something I can
act upon. Tell me what I shoul do.

Thirdly, let's have a look at the specific errors that are listed in
this instance.

>>>    "libxml2: Depends: libicus65 (>=2.15) but 2.23-Oubuntu11 is to be installed"

First of all, this is unclear af. "IS TO BE" is the part that confuses
me. But I assume it means "is ABOUT" or "is GOING" to be installed. So,
ok.

So, a version greater than or equal to 2.15 of that package is required, "BUT" version 2.23-something is going to be installed... "instead", I guess.
Well, it seems to me like 2.23 **IS** greater than or equal to 2.15, so what  the fuck are you complaining about in the first place.

And then if it were true that that version is not compatible with your
requirements, then why is that? What is preventing you from installing
the version you need? I'm not saying there isn't a good reason, I'm
saying the whole point of the error message is to tell me what the fuck
the problem is and you are not giving me that information.

But the bigger point here is that what I'm reading seems to say  that
your problem is that you need a version of a package that is >=2.15 and
2.23 doesn't satisfy that requirement, which is absolute nonsense.

And every single error in the list is like that:

   "X: depends: Y (>=N) but M is to be installed"

with M > N.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: update-manager 1:16.04.17
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-173.203-generic 4.4.208
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-173-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.21
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Sun May  3 15:53:56 2020
DpkgHistoryLog.txt:

DpkgTerminalLog.txt:

InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-10-11 (2395 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: update-manager
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: update-manager (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Tags: amd64 apport-bug third-party-packages xenial

** Attachment added: "Screenshot from 2020-05-03 15-52-09.png"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1876586/+attachment/5365726/+files/Screenshot%20from%202020-05-03%2015-52-09.png

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1876586

Title:
  Package dependencies cannot be resolved

Status in update-manager package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Every once in a while, the Software Updater window pops up as expected
  letting me know that there are updates ready to download and install.

  Lately I have been clicking on "remind me later" every time for
  several weeks and only today I have finally clicked on "install now"
  (or "update now" or whatever the button is called).

  I don't know whether that's relevant: had I installed the updates
  before rather than delaying them for many days, would I have got the
  same error? I don't know. Either way, that shouldn't be a problem.

  Now that I did, I got this error (see attached screenshot).

  First of all, if I get a "dependencies cannot be resolved" error,
  whatever it means, there's a bug somewhere. You are the package
  manager, it's your job to resolve and install dependencies. I have
  done nothing to prevent you from doing so, so if you can't resolve and
  install all the needed dependencies, something is wrong somewhere.

  Secondly, the error message doesn't tell me anything that I can act
  upon. What am I supposed to do? It's great that you give me
  information about the error but it's not enough if you don't give me
  something I can act upon. Tell me what I shoul do.

  Thirdly, let's have a look at the specific errors that are listed in
  this instance.

  >>>    "libxml2: Depends: libicus65 (>=2.15) but 2.23-Oubuntu11 is to be installed"

  First of all, this is unclear af. "IS TO BE" is the part that confuses
  me. But I assume it means "is ABOUT" or "is GOING" to be installed.
  So, ok.

  So, a version greater than or equal to 2.15 of that package is required, "BUT" version 2.23-something is going to be installed... "instead", I guess.
  Well, it seems to me like 2.23 **IS** greater than or equal to 2.15, so what  the fuck are you complaining about in the first place.

  And then if it were true that that version is not compatible with your
  requirements, then why is that? What is preventing you from installing
  the version you need? I'm not saying there isn't a good reason, I'm
  saying the whole point of the error message is to tell me what the
  fuck the problem is and you are not giving me that information.

  But the bigger point here is that what I'm reading seems to say  that
  your problem is that you need a version of a package that is >=2.15
  and 2.23 doesn't satisfy that requirement, which is absolute nonsense.

  And every single error in the list is like that:

     "X: depends: Y (>=N) but M is to be installed"

  with M > N.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
  Package: update-manager 1:16.04.17
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-173.203-generic 4.4.208
  Uname: Linux 4.4.0-173-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
  ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.21
  Architecture: amd64
  CurrentDesktop: Unity
  Date: Sun May  3 15:53:56 2020
  DpkgHistoryLog.txt:

  DpkgTerminalLog.txt:

  InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-10-11 (2395 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424)
  PackageArchitecture: all
  SourcePackage: update-manager
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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