[baq]

i've seen aptitude get really confused about what to install and computing a solution for a few minutes.

once.

10 years ago or so, i don't even remember.

[pcwalton]

I should clarify that I'm referring to language package managers. Their problem domains are significantly different than those of system package managers.

[asymmetric]

I'm curious, what makes the problem domains different?

I'm asking because I'm interested in "universal" package managers like nix.