Subject: bug#76978: [PATCH] package.el: Add built-in version check and loaded package marking

From: david <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:25:35 -0400

Philip Kaludercic <[email-masked]> writes:

> Stefan Monnier <[email-masked]> writes:
>
>>> Package marginalia is installed.
>>>
>>>      Status: Installed in ‘marginalia-2.0/’. Delete
>>>     Version: 2.0
>>>      Commit: c51fd9e4d4258543e0cd8dedda941789163bec5a
>>>      ...
>>> Other versions: 1.8 (installed), 2.0 (gnu, activated), 20250317.1632 (melpa).
>>
>> IIUC this is a package for which you have two versions installed (1.8
>> and 2.0), right?
>>
>> That looks good.
>
> What confuses me is that the non-installed version is activated?  Should
> we perhaps add `display-local-help' annotations to explain what is meant?

The version 2.0 is indeed installed, as shown by the "Status" line.
This is the help buffer displayed when calling `describe-package` on the
GNU ELPA version 2.0 of Marginalia.

I am still working on the patch to improve how this information is
displayed, ensuring it is clear and avoids confusion.  Suggestions like
renaming "Other versions" to "All versions" and adding contextual
explanations are being considered.