Package format: deb Depends, Recommends, Suggests, Enhances is a far better way to handle dependencies. From the here: https://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-relationships.html

• Depends: absolute dependency that is needed for significant functionality.
• Recommends: strong, but not absolute dependency generally install except in unusual situations.
• Suggests: Installing without is perfectly reasonable, and might means features like an X11 gui wont work.
• Enhances: not a dependency, but something that will enhance the package being installed.