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Revision 18 as of 2013-05-30 05:13:02
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Editor: BartMartens
Comment: Updated the example watch file.
Revision 19 as of 2013-06-08 13:18:14
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Editor: BartMartens
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== Removing separate watch files ==

The separate watch files are removed automatically after they are no longer needed.

How to help with fixing debian/watch files

  • Write a good debian/watch file and test it with uscan.
  • Add your watch file using one of two methods:
    • Upload the watch file using this web form. Please include your name, email address and the current date so we can give you credit and or feedback. Your submission will be reviewed by a member of the QA team and accepted, fixed, rewritten or rejected as appropriate.

    • Ask bartm@debian.org or another DD from the QA team to add your debian/watch files in qa.debian.org:/srv/qa.debian.org/data/watch/watchfiles. The file names are package_eversion.watch with eversion = version without epoch but with Debian revision. (Read here about epoch and Debian revision.)

How to write a good debian/watch file

See "man uscan".

Check the common mistakes section of the debian/watch page.

How to test the debian/watch file

By example pqiv 0.12-1:

  • The file named "watch" contains this:

version=3
https://github.com/phillipberndt/pqiv/tags .*/archive/(\d\S*)\.tar\.gz
  • Strip epoch and debian revision from the version. So 1:3.39-1 would become 3.39. In this case 0.12-1 becomes 0.12.
  • Then use uscan like this (see "man uscan"), and verify whether the status makes sense:

uscan --watchfile watch --package pqiv --upstream-version 0.12 --no-download --verbose
  • Then use uscan like this (see "man uscan"), and verify whether the link to the upstream file works:

uscan --watchfile watch --package pqiv --upstream-version 0 --no-download --verbose

List of debian/watch files with temporary or permanent problems

Here is the list of debian/watch files with temporary or permanent problems : http://qa.debian.org/watch/uscan-errors.txt

More reports are found here.

Removing separate watch files

The separate watch files are removed automatically after they are no longer needed.