[R] update.packages() and install.packages() does not work more because of "Error in read.dcf"

[R P Herrold]

On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Uwe Ligges wrote:

>> herrold, before:
>> The true fault causing the noted message seems to be that there is a
>> faulty compression/decompression occuring in a carried library --
>> would't it be better to not bundle a frozen library, and to rather
>> simply 'flag' packages needed a rebuild so that fault is cured?
>> 
>> I am curious here

> Ah, 'flag' those packages. I am curious to learn how to do that and see the 
> patches / code that enable us to tell R, packages, repositories, users and 
> developers that linking against some new library is required (including 
> seldom but possible API changes).

An API change [which is what we are discussing here as to 
zlib] should also be occasioned by a SOname bump.  I use the 
term ** should ** as there is not formal enforcement, other 
than discipline on the part of the maintainer, which is not 
always followed (I am remembering fighting tcl/tk in this 
regard, which was unwilling or unable to get this into their 
release process)

Alternatively, in the instant case, at module retrieval, 
build, and install time, in the 'CHECK' process, testing for 
the observed error, and refusing to proceed (or at le3st 
issuing a warning) when seen, with text to the effect that 
there has been an 'unknown' API encountered, is a way to do 
this on the 'client of the library' side

-- Russ herrold