[Bug 1839503] [NEW] apt does massive removal when install requested for specific packages

[Kevin Buchs]

Public bug reported:

I performed this command (didn't know which package provided what I
needed)

apt install -y lib64readline-dev libreadline-dev

This REMOVED these packages:

dkms oem-ethernet-realtek-r8152-lp1806322-4.15-dkms-dkms ubuntu-desktop
x11-session-utils xorg


To my way of thinking, apt install should never remove packages. If there is a dependency conflict with the requested packages, then that should be noted. 

Of course, I used '-y', and will never do so again.

Further, there may be some broken dependencies in these packages I
requested to install. I left the libreadline-dev installed and removed
lib64readline-dev. I was able to reinstall the ones that were removed
with the exception of the realtek one (apt didn't find it - not sure
what repo, but I'll find it).

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: apt 1.6.11
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-1045.50-oem 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-1045-oem x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: lkp_Ubuntu_4_15_0_1045_50_oem_53
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.7
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Aug  8 11:07:51 2019
DistributionChannelDescriptor:
 # This is the distribution channel descriptor for the OEM CDs
 # For more information see http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DistributionChannelDescriptor
 canonical-oem-somerville-bionic-amd64-20180608-47+italia-whl+X37
InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-07-14 (25 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04 "Bionic" - Build amd64 LIVE Binary 20180608-09:38
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: apt
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: apt (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug bionic

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1839503

Title:
  apt does massive removal when install requested for specific packages

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I performed this command (didn't know which package provided what I
  needed)

  apt install -y lib64readline-dev libreadline-dev

  This REMOVED these packages:

  dkms oem-ethernet-realtek-r8152-lp1806322-4.15-dkms-dkms ubuntu-
  desktop x11-session-utils xorg

  
  To my way of thinking, apt install should never remove packages. If there is a dependency conflict with the requested packages, then that should be noted. 

  Of course, I used '-y', and will never do so again.

  Further, there may be some broken dependencies in these packages I
  requested to install. I left the libreadline-dev installed and removed
  lib64readline-dev. I was able to reinstall the ones that were removed
  with the exception of the realtek one (apt didn't find it - not sure
  what repo, but I'll find it).

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
  Package: apt 1.6.11
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-1045.50-oem 4.15.18
  Uname: Linux 4.15.0-1045-oem x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: lkp_Ubuntu_4_15_0_1045_50_oem_53
  ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.7
  Architecture: amd64
  Date: Thu Aug  8 11:07:51 2019
  DistributionChannelDescriptor:
   # This is the distribution channel descriptor for the OEM CDs
   # For more information see http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DistributionChannelDescriptor
   canonical-oem-somerville-bionic-amd64-20180608-47+italia-whl+X37
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-07-14 (25 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04 "Bionic" - Build amd64 LIVE Binary 20180608-09:38
  ProcEnviron:
   TERM=xterm-256color
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   SHELL=/bin/bash
  SourcePackage: apt
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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