[Bug 1988819] Re: When apt keeps back packages due to phased updates, it should say so

[Brian Foster]

Yeah, I was confused by this at first too.  Here's a hint, try "apt-mark
showhold":

   $ apt-mark showhold
   $ 

If nothing is printed (as above), then the "issue" PRESUMABLY isn't
local to your system; ergo, the cause is PROBABLY at the server, such as
a phased update.  Relax.  It will probably sort itself out in a few
days.  (This hint is from https://askubuntu.com/questions/640986/how-to-
get-a-list-of-installed-packages-held-back-from-upgrade "How to get a
list of installed packages held back from upgrade?" (APT, etc., experts
can please correct).)

As per above (#3), whilst the reason isn't stored, that does not mean
apt(8)'s message cannot be improved.  For example, instead of the
current:

   The following packages have been kept back:
      PKG...

better might be something like:

   The following packages have been kept back:
      PKG...
   Some or all of those packages may be deliberately "on hold" on the server;
   please see manual page XXX(N) for information.

with (obviously) appropriate text in the manual page.  (Exactly which
man page is left to the experts.)

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1988819

Title:
  When apt keeps back packages due to phased updates, it should say so

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  After phased updates have been introduced, it may happen that apt
  upgrade shows packages as upgradable but ends up not upgrading them.
  In this case the packages are indicated as being "kept back".

  Unfortunately, the feedback provided about this to the user is not
  very informative. The user sees the packages being kept back and
  thinks something is going wrong on the system.

  When packages are kept back because of phased updates, apt should say
  so e.g., it should say that the upgrade is delayed.

  Incidentally note that aptitude does not respect phased updates.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
  Package: apt 2.4.7
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.15.0-47.51-generic 5.15.46
  Uname: Linux 5.15.0-47-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.1
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: unknown
  CurrentDesktop: KDE
  Date: Tue Sep  6 10:05:14 2022
  EcryptfsInUse: Yes
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-02-16 (933 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine" - Release amd64 (20191017)
  SourcePackage: apt
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to jammy on 2022-06-03 (94 days ago)

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