Currently the -dbg packages contain all of the sources, not just the debug symbols. These are not massively useful as many embedded boards are not powerful enough to store all of the sources, and the debugging symbols are sufficient for most debugging activities. The impact of adding the source is not insignificant. Consider gtk+3, the -dbg package is 43M unpacked, 26M of which is source code. I propose two options: 1) have an option to enable or disable the debug source code packaging (default to disable) 2) split the source code to a -dbgsrc package
+1 from me; I don't have a huge preferrence for either of the two proposed options.
The argument has been that if your board can't cope with the debug packages themselves, the debug source probably doesn't make much difference and it won't be able to cope with that either so either the board will or won't be able to cope with them regardless of absolute size. I've also been repeatedly told our old -dbg packages without the source were "useless" and had to give up arguing otherwise. This therefore needs discussion on the mailing list. I'm happy to see an option, I don't think we can default to off though.
Patch to add option without src sent to ML http://lists.linuxtogo.org/pipermail/openembedded-core/2013-March/036965.html My use case was a bit different: to be able to build proprietary blobs with OE and exchange resulting .ipk files with partners without revealing source in PN-dbg. Ross said this option is good enough to close this.
Martin's patch was merged.