update-apt-xapian-index crashed with ValueError in index(): invalid null reference in method 'Document_add_value', argument 3 of type 'std::string const &'

As I said in my duplicate bug, this is preventing me from running Synaptic or Ubuntu Software Center.

The plugin that the crash is occurring in is actually provided by software-center.

This should hopefully be fixed in the branch linked.

@jbicha: I'm actually quite interested in seeing what caused this bug, would you perhaps be able to post a complete list of all your sources.list entries (only the deb lines are of interest)? Thanks in advance!

Sure, I'd be happy to help out. My list is a bit embarrassing because it's so long but nearly all of them have been disabled for quite a while. Attached.

Hi, unfortunately this still doesn't fix my Synaptic. I applied the 1-line fix to my Ubuntu.py and Synaptic still crashes on start.

I also removed software-center, aptdaemon, apt-xapian-index and Synaptic still crashes. I submitted bug 818382 as it has the crash info but it may be a duplicate of bug 807771.

I don't believe my Synaptic crash has anything to do with apt-xapian-index but I can't figure out what's not working right on this computer. I'm tempted to do a clean install but then y'all wouldn't be able to confirm that whatever is broken gets fixed.

Ok, just as a followup, my issue in bug 807771 seems to be because of a conflict with the On Screen Keyboard.

And I believe kiwinote's fix for this apt-xapian-index bug works too.

This bug was fixed in the package software-center - 4.1.11

---------------
software-center (4.1.11) oneiric; urgency=low

  [ Michael Vogt ]
  * utils/show_top_rated_for_various_powers.py:
    - add helper to help with the parameterization of the top-rated
      algorithm
  * some cleanup and new test/gtk3/test_navhistory.py
  * merged from lp:~aaronp/software-center/more-top-rated, many
    thanks to Aaron Peachey!
  * move the AppEnquire code from ui.gtk3 into the generic db space
    and add gobject query-complete signal
  * test/gtk3/test_purchase.py:
    - add tests for reinstall previous purchase
  * softwarecenter/ui/gtk3:
    - use datadir for the gtk3 art and css

  [ Gary Lasker ]
  * softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/appdetailsview_gtk.py:
    - port recent crash fixes and the standalone deb install
      startup time improvements to the gtk3 branch
  * softwarecenter/ui/gtk/appdetailsview_gtk.py,
    softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/appdetailsview_gtk.py:
    - fix incorrect display of command line launch details
      (LP: #817524)
  * utils/submit_review.py:
    - display app name rather than package name in the edit
      review dialog title (LP: #818306)

  [ Kiwinote ]
  * softwarecenter/distro/Ubuntu.py:
    - ensure get_downloadable_icon_url() returns a string (LP: #810552)
  * softwarecenter/ui/gtk/appview.py:
    - lowlevel cache isn't available on startup, so query it only on demand
    - fix normal cache to correctly filter out unavailable pkgs (LP: #799713)

  [ Aaron Peachey ]
  * lp:~aaronp/software-center/more-top-rated:
    - support top rated carousel for subcategories like Games or
      Development Tools
 -- Michael Vogt <email address hidden> Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:15:31 +0200