[Bug 1442775] Re: apt-get --ignore-missing doesn't ignore missing packages

[Julian Andres Klode]

A non-existing package is not a missing package. There is a clear list
what constitutes a missing package (not retrievable or failed integrity
checks).

I do not think there is anything we should be changing here, not failing
on non-existing packages, even on removal, is bad, as it can lead to
packages remaining installed because you mistyped. Better safe then
sorry.

Eventually (and already in aptitude), this will be possible with
patterns, by using ?and(?installed,?exact-name(PKGNAME)). Or
~i~<something>PKGNAME.

Also, apt-get does not belong in a Makefile.

** Changed in: apt (Ubuntu)
       Status: Confirmed => Opinion

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1442775

Title:
  apt-get --ignore-missing doesn't ignore missing packages

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  Opinion

Bug description:
  The man page for apt-get states:

         -m, --ignore-missing, --fix-missing
             Ignore missing packages; if packages cannot be retrieved or fail the integrity check after retrieval (corrupted package files), hold back those packages and handle the
             result. Use of this option together with -f may produce an error in some situations. If a package is selected for installation (particularly if it is mentioned on the
             command line) and it could not be downloaded then it will be silently held back. Configuration Item: APT::Get::Fix-Missing.

  However, when removing or purging packages, it does /not/ actually
  ignore missing packages:

  build at ub14test:~/p4/zimbra/main/ThirdParty/openldap$ sudo apt-get purge -y --ignore-missing zimbra-openssl-lib
  Reading package lists... Done
  Building dependency tree
  Reading state information... Done
  E: Unable to locate package zimbra-openssl-lib
  build at ub14test:~/p4/zimbra/main/ThirdParty/openldap$ echo $?
  100

  This causes some pain when using apt-get in a Makefile and wanting to
  ensure custom packages have been removed.

  dpkg handles this correctly:

  build at ub14test:~/p4/zimbra/main/ThirdParty/openldap$ sudo dpkg --purge zimbra-openssl-lib
  dpkg: warning: ignoring request to remove zimbra-openssl-lib which isn't installed
  build at ub14test:~/p4/zimbra/main/ThirdParty/openldap$ echo $?
  0

  however you then lose dependency tracking.

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