Public bug reported:
Bug Report / Feature Request Draft
Title: Improve dpkg error handling: Offer interactive fix option instead of
manual command
Description:
Currently, when package management issues occur, dpkg displays an error message
instructing users to run:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
However, many users—especially non-technical ones—struggle with this.
Instead of requiring manual intervention, dpkg should prompt the user:
Real case.. I spent over an hour to get my father to type this command because
he cannot figure out how to show me the error. I cannot see.. i cannot tell
him what to type. Furthermore, cannot install teamviewer if packages are
broken.
TO SOLVE THIS: Give a message like this:
An issue was detected with package management. Would you like to attempt an
automatic fix? (Y/N)
If the user selects Y, it should automatically execute:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
This would greatly improve usability, especially for less experienced users or
those assisting others remotely.
Why This Is Important:
Many users struggle with troubleshooting and may not understand dpkg commands.
Some users find it difficult to copy and paste commands manually, especially
elderly users or those with accessibility needs. (because ctrl C ctrl P does
not work in terminal without shift key)
A new person gets overwhelmed .
This change would reduce support time for family members, IT professionals, and
online communities.
A similar feature exists in many other modern package managers, improving
usability.
Proposed Implementation:
When dpkg encounters an issue requiring sudo dpkg --configure -a, it should
display a Y/N prompt.
If the user confirms, it should automatically run the command.
Optionally, a --no-interactive flag could be added to maintain non-interactive
behavior for scripts and automation.
Additional Context:
This request is motivated by a real-world scenario where an elderly user had
trouble following instructions to manually enter sudo dpkg --configure -a. It
took over an hour for remote assistance due to communication difficulties. A
simple interactive prompt would have solved the problem instantly.
System Information:
Affected Component: dpkg (Debian Package Manager)
Affects all Debian-based distributions, including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS,
etc.
Expected Outcome:
If accepted, this change would improve the package manager’s user experience
and make system recovery more intuitive for non-technical users.
** Affects: dpkg (Ubuntu)
Importance: Undecided
Status: New
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2098563
Title:
dpkg interactive prompt
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