nix-env -qP does not quote attributes that need to be quoted

[ahmedtd]

nix-env -qP doesn't quote components of attribute paths that need to be quoted.

For example, the attribute lispPackages."hu.dwim.asdf" is output as lispPackages.hu.dwim.asdf. Trying to use the output directly results in the error:

error: attribute ‘hu’ in selection path ‘nixos.lispPackages.hu.dwim.asdf’ not found

This breaks tools that consume nix-env output (nox-review, for example, dies if the change requires a rebuild of lispPackages."hu.dwim.asdf")

[edolstra]

Attribute names should not contain dots. This is a bug in Nixpkgs, which should not use hu.dwim.asf as an attribute name.

[copumpkin]

Does that mean the sysctl NixOS module is also flawed?

…

On Apr 19, 2017, at 08:04, Eelco Dolstra ***@***.***> wrote: Attribute names should not contain dots. This is a bug in Nixpkgs, which should not use hu.dwim.asf as an attribute name. — You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.

[7c6f434c]

If attribute names should not contain dots, what is the rationale for the attribute name quoting syntax in Nix (that also doesn't warn about wrong names)? Is it a bug that converting list to attribute set doesn't complain on wrong names? I always thought it was added exactly to support sane attribute naming of packages with upstream names starting with a digit.