I don't think that checks for ABI stability should be at the discretion of the
package maintainer. Symbols files for C++ is the implementation which is not
ideal, but currently in use. The right thing to do is to replace these with
state of the art technology, like abi-check from Google, or libabigail. There
are tickets in Debian, Ubuntu, and also internally with Canonical, but up to now
nobody has been interested in tackling that. Just dropping the symbols files is
worse.
Matthias
On 18.05.18 01:49, Jeremy Bicha wrote:
Hi,
There has recently been a question [1] about whether symbols files
should be mandatory for C++ libraries in Ubuntu 'main'. I'm curious to
hear what other Ubuntu developers think about this topic.
Symbols files aren't mentioned in the official MIR criteria at all. [2]
I think there's general agreement that Ubuntu should use symbols files
for C libraries. And although it's not "required" in Debian as I
understand it, I think there is widespread support for it as "best
practice" there too.
C++ libraries can be much more difficult to maintain symbols files
for. I frequently see uploads for a new upstream release of a C++
library, quickly followed by another upload to fix the symbols files
so that the package builds on all supported architectures.
In my opinion, symbols files for a C++ library is a decision best made
by the package maintainer. [3] Therefore, if the Debian maintainer
chooses to not maintain symbols files, the Ubuntu team handling the
package can follow the Debian lead or optionally maintain symbols
files as an Ubuntu diff.
[1] https://launchpad.net/bugs/1770748
[2] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuMainInclusionRequirements
[3] See Debian Policy ยง 8.6
https://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/#dependencies-between-the-library-and-other-packages
Thanks,
Jeremy Bicha
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