Comment 15 for bug 25799

On Sat, Nov 19, 2005 at 03:20:20PM +0000, Stephen Gran wrote:

> If there were more than one package per architecture providing this
> virtual package, then the dependency would need to be adjusted to
> provide consistent behavior. But at first blush, we don't seem to be
> there.

Yes, that's pretty much it - the real package is only needed to avoid
tools like apt getting upset if they have to make a decision about what
to install. If there is only one possible option this doesn't apply
(which is why you can use Provides: when renaming a package).

--
"You grabbed my hand and we fell into it, like a daydream - or a fever."