[Bug 1988819] Re: When apt keeps back packages due to phased updates, it should say nothing

[Jeffrey Walton]

Yes, please fix.

>From a security standpoint, we can't tell the "good" held backs (Phased
Updates) from the "bad" held backs (problem with package). So we assume
its a package problem, go in with a hammer, and use Aptitude's safe-
upgrade to force the updates. Now we've subverted/undermined the Phased
Updates when there was no problem.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to the bug report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1988819

Title:
  When apt keeps back packages due to phased updates, it should say
  nothing

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  After phased updates have been introduced, it may happen that apt
  upgrade shows packages as upgradable but ends up not upgrading them.
  In this case the packages are indicated as being "kept back".

  Unfortunately, the feedback provided about this to the user is not
  very informative. The user sees the packages being kept back and
  thinks something is going wrong on the system.

  When packages are kept back because of phased updates, apt should say
  so e.g., it should say that the upgrade is delayed.

  Incidentally note that aptitude does not respect phased updates.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
  Package: apt 2.4.7
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.15.0-47.51-generic 5.15.46
  Uname: Linux 5.15.0-47-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.1
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: unknown
  CurrentDesktop: KDE
  Date: Tue Sep  6 10:05:14 2022
  EcryptfsInUse: Yes
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-02-16 (933 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine" - Release amd64 (20191017)
  SourcePackage: apt
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to jammy on 2022-06-03 (94 days ago)

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/1988819/+subscriptions