[AuckLUG] debian noob, compiling your own package then dealing with dependencies

[Daniel Pittman]

Robert <razza at razza.org> writes:

G'day Robert.

> I wanted to install Sendmail on Debian but because I needed several
> custom modifications (sql support etc..) than the normal Debian
> package provides I decided to remove the debian package and install
> from source.

That probably isn't the best choice; rebuilding the Debian packages with
custom options is usually an easier path to follow.  See the apt-get
manual page, specifically the 'builddep' and 'source' operations, for
details on the easy way to grab that down.

> So after building I did checkinstall -D sh Build install to create my
> own Debian package everything good so far.
>
> However now when I go to install anything that has a requirement on
> email I'm prompted to install Exim as it is a dependency.

You would be.

[...]

> So far the only options I can see is:
> a) roll my own package for any mail related application.
> b) remove the custom package I built for Sendmail ?
>
> I don't fancy either of those there has to be a better way? 

Checkinstall builds a Debian package; ensure that your package
'Provides' mail-transport-agent to satisfy the dependencies.

Alternately, create an empty placeholder Debian package that provides
that and install it beside your custom package, which has the same
effect.

Regards,
        Daniel
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