The Debian package build includes a script (debian/bd-to-depends) written in Python. This requires having Python as a build depdencency. That's the only reason Python is required, so it is an unnecessary dependency. Re-writing the script in Perl would fix that. Then dropping python and python-debian from the build dependencies would be possible. (Note that this only applies to _build_ dependencies, not run-time dependencies of the installed packages.)
Resetting version.
Created attachment 37175 [details] [review] Bug 4847: Remove the python dependency for package builds The only place python is used is in the debian/bd-to-depends script. This patch rewrite this script using perl. Test plan: The execution of debian/bd-to-depends Should return the same output.
Robin, as the package guru, I really would like to get your opinion on this patch :)
Created attachment 37201 [details] [review] Bug 4847: Remove the python dependency for package builds The only place python is used is in the debian/bd-to-depends script. This patch rewrite this script using perl. Test plan: The execution of debian/bd-to-depends Should return the same output. Signed-off-by: Robin Sheat <robin@catalyst.net.nz> Checked output, built a package, all is happy. Yay for no python!
Patch pushed to master. I love this one Jonathan!