Bug#3226: pkg update-alternatives confusion
On Thu, 6 Jun 1996, Ian Jackson wrote:
>[...]
> Automatic updates of /etc/alternatives/vi are disabled, leaving it alone.
> To return to automatic updates use `update-alternatives --auto vi'.
>[...]
>Please ask your co-worker to open their eyes next time.
I've tried this, and I think there's still a problem.
Here's a partial log with embedded comments.
# ls -l /etc/alternatives/vi
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 17 Jun 6 10:44 /etc/alternatives/vi -> /usr/bin/elvisx11
# dpkg --install elvisx11.deb
(Reading database ... 9922 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace elvisx11 (using elvisx11.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement elvisx11 ...
Setting up elvisx11 ...
/etc/alternatives/vi has been changed (manually or by a script).
Switching to manual updates only.
Checking available versions of vi, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
(You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
Automatic updates of /etc/alternatives/vi are disabled, leaving it alone.
To return to automatic updates use `update-alternatives --auto vi'.
Checking available versions of ex, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
(You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
Leaving ex (/usr/bin/ex) pointing to /usr/bin/elvisx11.
Leaving ex.1 (/usr/man/man1/ex.1) pointing to /usr/man/man1/elvis.1.
Checking available versions of view, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
(You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
Leaving view (/usr/bin/view) pointing to /usr/bin/elvisx11.
Leaving view.1 (/usr/man/man1/view.1) pointing to /usr/man/man1/elvis.1.
Checking available versions of input, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
(You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
Leaving input (/usr/bin/input) pointing to /usr/bin/elvisx11.
Leaving input.1 (/usr/man/man1/input.1) pointing to /usr/man/man1/elvis.1.
*** OK -- I see the "To return to automatic updates ..." message. It had
*** previusly gotten lost in the forest.
# update-alternatives --auto vi
Setting up automatic selection of vi.
Checking available versions of vi, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
(You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
Updating vi (/usr/bin/vi) to point to /usr/bin/vim.
Leaving vi.1 (/usr/man/man1/vi.1) pointing to /usr/man/man1/vim.1.
*** Hmmmm... I didn't want it set to vim, I just wanted it set back to
*** auto and left pointing wherever it was pointing, so that subsequent
*** installs and removes would update the /etc/alternatives links.
# dpkg --status vim
Package: vim
Status: unknown ok not-installed
Priority: optional
Section: editors
*** vim's not even installed. I've now broken /usr/bin/vi.
# dpkg --version
Debian Linux `dpkg' package management program version 1.2.0 (i386 elf).
Copyright 1994-1996 Ian Jackson, Bruce Perens. This is free software;
see the GNU General Public Licence version 2 or later for copying
conditions. There is NO warranty. See dpkg --licence for details.
# exit
Reply to: