Ooo - missing dependencies

[SmartMart]

Trying to install openoffice.org from the VL repos I get the following error message:

---------- 8< ----------
Excluding openoffice.org due to dependency failure

openoffice.org: Depends: GConf>=2.22.0-i586-2gsb
---------- 8< ----------

And then a message about the perils of installing with missing dependencies.

What now?

Regards .....

[nightflier]

Go ahead and download the package, then install from command line (in a terminal, as root):

Code:

installpkg /path/to/package.tlz

It should work just fine without gconf.

[SmartMart]

I understand what you mean but it was gslapt that gave me the error message. Would it be OK to ignore the error message and just click the "OK" button and let gslapt install the package.

Regards .....

[retired1af]

No. When you click execute, you'll see an option to check a box to download only. Select that, then run installpkg from terminal (as root).

[SmartMart]

OK, I've done that and everything appears to have worked just fine - many thanks to the both of you for your help.

This now raises another point 
As I'm new to VL, I'm still getting to grips with the VL way of doing things and I don't appreciate why I had to install the package with installpkg rather than gslapt.

Regards .....

[retired1af]

Because sometimes dependencies change, there's an error with the package, etc. etc. etc. etc. What we provided was a workaround to get things working quickly.

[Joe1962]

Actually, when gslapt complains about missing dependencies it gives you a choice to continue installing regardless. So you don't actually need to download and installpkg.

[retired1af]

Hmmm. GSlapt usually ignores those for me. Can't recall an option to continue regardless unless the package is downloaded only.

[Joe1962]

Take blender for example, I am using my own local repo, which is a small subset of the VL6 repo (plus many packages have the dependencies TOO hardwired, so to speak), so I get a popup saying:

Excluding blender due to dependency failure

blender: Depends:   python = 2.5.2-i486-1

Missing dependencies may mean the software in
this package will not function correctly. Do you
want to continue without the required packages?

Cancel     OK

This is gslapt-0.5.3.

[nightflier]

Linux gives you several different ways of achieving a goal. I often take the opportunity to introduce options when answering questions.

The manual download/install procedure can be very good to know, especially in the cases where gslapt wants to include a cascading list of dependencies which you do not want.

Since we are on that subject.. another way of doing the same thing would be the command "slapt-get --installl --no-dep openoffice" 

[Joe1962]

nightflier, I totally agree about slapt-get, specially since gslapt crashes a lot for me when you actually tell it to start installing, grrrrr. I mostly use it to find packages to install or upgrade, then use slapt-get to actually do it. That said, SmartMart wanted to know why it couldn't be done in gslapt...

[SmartMart]

Actually, when gslapt complains about missing dependencies it gives you a choice to continue installing regardless. So you don't actually need to download and installpkg.

Which is exactly why I raised the point of gslapt versus installpkg

Regards .....

[SmartMart]

Hmmm. GSlapt usually ignores those for me. Can't recall an option to continue regardless unless the package is downloaded only.

The option to continue is presented before you are allowed to click the Execute button.

Regards .....

[SmartMart]

Linux gives you several different ways of achieving a goal. I often take the opportunity to introduce options when answering questions.

I like your style 

The manual download/install procedure can be very good to know, especially in the cases where gslapt wants to include a cascading list of dependencies which you do not want.

This raises another interesting point 
How does one determine which deps are required rather than wanted, IYSWIM 

Since we are on that subject.. another way of doing the same thing would be the command "slapt-get --installl --no-dep openoffice" 

Another useful addition to my ever-growing notes, thanks.

Regards .....

[nightflier]

How does one determine which deps are required rather than wanted

A very good question, to which I unfortunately don't have a very good answer, but I'll voice my opinion.

When I go to install a program and notice that a long list of dependencies are listed, I make a note of it, then install the desired program package by itself. Next, launch the program from a terminal prompt. If no errors, fine. If there is an error about a missing piece, go ahead and install that package. It may be necessary to do some research to figure out which package contains a certain lib or executable. Searching for it in gslapt often helps.

This unusual dependency chain usually occurs when you install a piece of the Gnome desktop. Due to the integration of the programs in this desktop environment, you may end up with a full Gnome installation to support the application you select in gslapt.