r475: * dh_gencontrol: Added a documented interface for specifying substvars

     data in a file. Substvars data may be put in debian/package.substvars.
     (Those files used to be used by debhelper for automatically generated
     data, but it uses a different internal filename now). It will be merged
     with any automatically determined substvars data. See bug #98819
   * I want to stress that no one should ever rely in internal, undocumented
     debhelper workings. Just because debhelper uses a certian name for some
     internally used file does not mean that you should feel free to modify
     that file to your own ends in a debian package. If you do use it, don't
     be at all suprised when it breaks. If you find that debhelper is lacking
     a documented interface for something that you need, ask for it!
     (debhelper's undocumented, internal use only files should now all be
     prefixed with ".debhelper")

1 files changed, 4 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/doc/PROGRAMMING b/doc/PROGRAMMING
index 1f89e10f..0934727e 100644
--- a/doc/PROGRAMMING
+++ b/doc/PROGRAMMING
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ The autoscript() function (see below) is one easy way to do this.
 dh_installdeb is an exception, it will run after the other commands and
 merge these modifications into the actual postinst scripts.
 
+In general, files named debian/*.debhelper are internal to debhelper, and
+their expstence or use should not be relied on by external programs such as
+the build process of a package.
+
 Debhelper programs should default to doing exactly what policy says to do.
 
 There are always exceptions. Just ask me.