'''Problem:''' people want to know things about packages other than version and load script. * Who wrote this? * When was it released? * Where was it downloaded? * What variant is it? (or is this TIP 59? - [AK] yes) '''Solution''' store/retrieve name-value pairs * [['''package about''' ''$package $version'']] - return the metadata names stored for ''$version'' of ''$package'' * [['''package about''' ''$package $version $name'']] - return the metadata value of ''$name'' for ''$version'' of ''$package'' * [['''package about''' ''$package $version $name $value'']] - set the ''$value'' of ''$name'' for ''$version'' of ''$package'' '''Alternative name?:''' [['''package meta''']] No required names; let conventions arise '''Discussion:''' How do package variants share a single metadata? When does metadata need to be available? Only after loading a package? Or earlier? If earlier, [['''package about''']] calls need to go in index scripts, and automatic indexers should be able to place them there. Does this complement or compete with TIP 59? If compete, who wins?