About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

[Xue Fuqiao]

Hi,

In the `Package' menu (of Package Menu mode), there are two similar
entries:

* Refresh Package List     r
* Update Package List      g

Are there any differences between them?  I searched
`package-menu-refresh' but didn't get anything that looked promising.

TIA

-- 
http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/

Re: About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

[Tassilo Horn]

Xue Fuqiao <xfq@gnu.org> writes:

Hi!

> In the `Package' menu (of Package Menu mode), there are two similar
> entries:
>
> * Refresh Package List     r
> * Update Package List      g
>
> Are there any differences between them?

I think the main difference is that `r' will download the archive
contents again, whereas `g' only rebuilds the tabulated list of packages
that have been downloaded previously.

So use `r' to check if some archive contains updated packages, and use
`g' for example to revert the install/delete marks you've made in the
buffer.

Bye,
Tassilo

Re: About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

[Xue Fuqiao]

Tassilo Horn <tsdh@gnu.org> writes:
> Hi!

Hi Tassilo,

>> In the `Package' menu (of Package Menu mode), there are two similar
>> entries:
>>
>> * Refresh Package List     r
>> * Update Package List      g
>>
>> Are there any differences between them?
>
> I think the main difference is that `r' will download the archive
> contents again, whereas `g' only rebuilds the tabulated list of packages
> that have been downloaded previously.
>
> So use `r' to check if some archive contains updated packages, and use
> `g' for example to revert the install/delete marks you've made in the
> buffer.

I see.  Thanks for your explanation.

-- 
http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/

RE: About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

[Drew Adams]

> > I think the main difference is that `r' will download the archive
> > contents again, whereas `g' only rebuilds the tabulated list of packages
> > that have been downloaded previously.
> >
> > So use `r' to check if some archive contains updated packages, and use
> > `g' for example to revert the install/delete marks you've made in the
> > buffer.
> 
> I see.  Thanks for your explanation.

Now that you understand, maybe check the existing doc and see if you
think it makes things clear enough.  If you don't think so, consider
filing a bug report, to help others too: `M-x report-emacs-bug'.

Re: About `r' and `g' in Package Menu mode

[Stefan Monnier]

> I think the main difference is that `r' will download the archive
> contents again, whereas `g' only rebuilds the tabulated list of packages
> that have been downloaded previously.

I think this distinction only makes sense when M-x list-packages does not
itself download the archive contents again.

IOW if M-x list-packages downloads the archive contents again, then
revert-buffer (aka `g') should too.  And vice-versa.


        Stefan