reporteddepends

reporteddepends is a term used in software development and dependency management to describe a specific type of dependency relationship. When a piece of software, referred to as a "dependent," reports that it requires another piece of software, known as a "dependency," this forms a reporteddepends relationship.

This type of dependency is distinct from hard dependencies, where the dependent software cannot function at all without the presence of the dependency. Instead, reporteddepends indicates that the dependent software *can* function, but may do so with reduced functionality, or that certain features might be unavailable if the dependency is not installed. It's essentially a recommendation or an optional requirement.

The concept of reporteddepends is often found in package management systems. For example, a software package might declare that it "reports depends" on another package. This tells the package manager that while the core functionality of the first package will work without the second, installing the second package will enable additional features or provide a more robust experience.

This mechanism allows for greater flexibility in software installation. Users can choose whether or not to install the reported dependency based on their specific needs and available resources. It also helps in managing complex software ecosystems by clearly delineating essential requirements from optional enhancements, thereby preventing unnecessary installations and simplifying dependency resolution.