Pacman

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Tasklist

FS#14820 - new dependency-type field to link package <a> that requires rebuilding after package <b> is updated

Attached to Project: Pacman
Opened by Brendan (watricky) - Monday, 25 May 2009, 02:40 GMT
Last edited by Allan McRae (Allan) - Sunday, 31 January 2016, 04:48 GMT
Task Type Feature Request
Category Backend/Core
Status Closed
Assigned To Andrew Gregory (andrewgregory)
Architecture All
Severity Low
Priority Normal
Reported Version 3.2.2
Due in Version Undecided
Due Date Undecided
Percent Complete 100%
Votes 0
Private No

Details

Summary and Info:
Certain custom packages, such as kernel modules, require rebuilding after updating another package, such as the kernel. Unfortunately at present there is no way to "link" the two in pacman's db.

Steps to Reproduce:
An example I've come across is virtualbox_bin in the archlinuxfr repository though I'm sure there are more. The post-installation notes for virtualbox_bin specifically say:
> IMPORTANT NOTES:
>
> - Run "vbox_build_module" as root every time your kernel is upgraded, to
> compile the module for the new kernel version.

Proposed Solutions:
Add either 1 or 2 new fields, similar to depends=() to aid in automating the above manual process. Unless you *remember* that you installed package A that requires commands to be executed when package B is updated, you might only notice issues after you've irreparably damaged important data (worst-case) or you've been battling to figure out why your application A isn't working (typical case).

For now my thoughts are as follows:

Solution A
Run a command / series of commands automatically

addtoinstall=(kernel26)
addtoinstallcommand=vbox_build_module

Solution B
Print "special" notes automatically

addnotes=(kernel26)
notestext=/opt/virtualbox/rebuild-instructions.txt

Solution C
*Advise* reinstallation of package
reinstalldepends=(kernel26)

After kernel update, ask:
archlinuxft/virtualbox_bin advises reinstallation after update of kernel26. Proceed? [Y/n]

Personally, I'm in favour of C as it is the simplest and probably the most reliable. It *may* not fit all cases.
B is the least "dangerous" and would at least give an appropriate warning when doing updates. It is not foolproof however.
A is probably the most direct solution.
This task depends upon

Closed by  Allan McRae (Allan)
Sunday, 31 January 2016, 04:48 GMT
Reason for closing:  Implemented
Additional comments about closing:  Can be handled by Hooks
Comment by Brendan (watricky) - Monday, 25 May 2009, 02:42 GMT
err - s/(archlinuxf)t/\1r/
:D
Comment by Allan McRae (Allan) - Monday, 25 May 2009, 03:44 GMT
This seems a good job for package/file hooks: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/User:Allan/Pacman_Hooks
Comment by Brendan (watricky) - Monday, 25 May 2009, 14:47 GMT
Yes, hooks do look like an elegant way to implement this.

I don't see hooks in bugzilla. Is this still in the vaporware stage?
Comment by Allan McRae (Allan) - Monday, 25 May 2009, 14:52 GMT
No... it is in the planning stage. Maybe I should create a pacman roadmap document with future major feature plans in it.

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