Re: Integrating package.el

[David De La Harpe Golden <david@harpegolden.net>]

Stefan Monnier wrote:
>> What remains to be done to make package.el a part of Emacs?  I think
>> Dan Nicolaescu's suggestion about menus makes sense.  Is there anything
>> else?
> 
> For me, the only thing holding it back is the ability to concurrently
> install different versions of the same package.
> 

I find _calling_ the facility "package" of (minor) concern.
Clearly it's not package as in Common Lisp package::symbol

Obviously, Emacs Lisp is not Common Lisp and there's more than enough 
precedent for the other "package" usage from elsewhere, I expect most 
Emacs users would in fact be more used to it from GNU+Linux distros for 
starters.

But could maybe just add something like this to the ELPA FAQ? Though it 
should be fairly obvious, newbies who don't know some core differences 
between Emacs Lisp and Common Lisp may be briefly caught out:

Q. Does this implement Common Lisp style "packages" (of symbols) for 
Emacs Lisp?

A. No, it does not, neither as its primary goal nor as an implementation 
detail.  Think "package" purely as in "program code distribution 
bundle".  Note that the fact that a Common Lisp "program code 
distribution bundle"* is typically a bundle of some program code that 
defines and then defines itself in a particular Common Lisp "package of 
symbols" is an aspect of Common Lisp language and conventions completely 
irrelevant for and alien to Emacs Lisp.

* sometimes referred to as a "package" even in the Common Lisp world.