Re: bug#7333: [PATCH] {maint} Fix a bug in variable concatanation with `+='.

[Glenn Morris]

Ralf Wildenhues wrote:

> On http://debbugs.gnu.org/server-control.html it is documented that with
>   forcemerge N1 N2
>
> N1 will become the master bug.

Yes, in the sense that N2 inherits properties from N1.
After this, there is no concept of a "master". Both bugs are equivalent.

>  Apparently that is not the same with merge N1 N2

Well, N1 and N2 properties get merged. N1 and N2 must be in the same
state, wherease forcemerge allows more freedeom in this area.

The common reason to use forcemerge is if N1 is closed and N2 is not.
N2 will then be closed.

> When I look at http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/pkgreport.cgi?pkg=automake
> then it shows 7333 not 7345.
> When I look at
> http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/pkgreport.cgi?package=automake;max-bugs=100;base-order=1;bug-rev=1
> then it shows 7345 not 7333. 

It's just a trivial difference in display caused by the sorting order.
All merged bugs are equal once they are merged. Operating on one
operates on them all. There is no "master".