[git-buildpackage] A gbp workflow question re pq & patches

[Guido Günther]

Hi,
On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 12:54:45AM -0500, Seamus de Mora wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I am working to convert the debian source package for 'dhcpcd5-8.1.2' to a
> 'git' repository. The basis for this source package was obtained here (
> https://archive.raspberrypi.org/debian/pool/main/d/dhcpcd5/dhcpcd5_8.1.2-1+rpt5.dsc
> ). For purposes of this question, I'll refer to this as the
> 'dhcpcd5_8.1.2-1+rpt5'
> source package.
> 
> My import was done as follows:
> 
> 'gbp import-dsc --pristine-tar dhcpcd5_8.1.2-1+rpt5.dsc'
> 
> Which has yielded a new folder: '~/dhcpcd5';
> 
> $ git -C /home/pi/dhcpcd5 branch -a
> > * master
> >   pristine-tar
> >   upstream
> >
> 
> It seems time to consider the patches that were included in
> 'dhcpcd5_8.1.2-1+rpt5'.
> There are currently 4 patches in 'dhcpcd5_8.1.2-1+rpt5', and in `dhcpcd5`.
> Before starting this effort, I had assumed that the patch system used in
> Debian packages would become useless when the package was cast as a 'git'
> repo. However, having now read 'man gbp-pq', I understand patches may be
> carried into git packages.

If you have a "3.0 (quilt)" source package like dhcpcd5 then patches are
maintained in  `debian/patches`. The `patch-queue/*` branches are just
there to ease the maintenance of that folder.

> That said, I don't know if patches are required - or if they are included
> in gbp for convenience or legacy considerations. Can you explain this
> situation for me, please? I'd like for this git package to be generally
> useful for all, so if I can achieve this without patches, I think I'd
> prefer that approach.

I recommend to read up on the 3.0 (quilt) source format:

   https://wiki.debian.org/Projects/DebSrc3.0

to understand how patches are maintained in that source package
format. Is then just a layer on top allow you to use git commands
instead of quilt for your local repository work.
Cheers,
 -- Guido

> 
> Thnx,
> ~S

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