(debian-policy.info)The main archive area

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2.2.1 The main archive area
---------------------------

The `main' archive area comprises the Debian distribution.  Only the
packages in this area are considered part of the distribution.  None of
the packages in the `main' archive area require software outside of that
area to function.  Anyone may use, share, modify and redistribute the
packages in this archive area freely (1).

Every package in `main' must comply with the DFSG (Debian Free Software
Guidelines).  (2)

In addition, the packages in `main'

   - must not require or recommend a package outside of `main' for
     compilation or execution (thus, the package must not declare a
     ‘Pre-Depends’, ‘Depends’, ‘Recommends’, ‘Build-Depends’,
     ‘Build-Depends-Indep’, or ‘Build-Depends-Arch’ relationship on a
     non-`main' package unless that package is only listed as a
     non-default alternative for a package in `main'),

   - must not be so buggy that we refuse to support them, and

   - must meet all policy requirements presented in this manual.

   ---------- Footnotes ----------

   (1) See What Does Free Mean?  (https://www.debian.org/intro/free) for
more about what we mean by free software.

   (2) Debian’s FTP Masters publish a REJECT-FAQ
(https://ftp-master.debian.org/REJECT-FAQ.html) which details the
project’s current working interpretation of the DFSG.