Inappropriate error triggered when container and pod ID have a partial match

[marcov]

/kind bug

Description

When a container ID and a pod ID share a a common prefix, trying to address to the container or to the pod with that prefix results in:

Error: more than one result for container ID <prefix>: container already exists

I understand that IDs are unique for {containers ∪ pods}, but the error message is not making it obvious.
Even better if it is possible to distinguish between pods and containers and avoid triggering this error.

Steps to reproduce the issue:

1. Run a container inside a pod, and make the container and pod ID have a common prefix.
2. podman rm <prefix>

Describe the results you received:

Error: more than one result for container ID <prefix>: container already exists

Describe the results you expected:

The container should be removed without any errors.

Output of podman version:
git 3b9ce8a

[vrothberg]

Hi @marcov, thanks for the report! Are you interested in fixing that?

I agree that the removal should check the object type, if possible.

[marcov]

Thanks @vrothberg, sure, that's something I am interested in.

[vrothberg]

Awesome, thanks @marcov !