Keep metadata about extension installation (install date, install source, etc.)

[Bobronium]

Metadata should contain at least:

{
    "installDate": 123456543,
    "updateDate": 123456543,
    "versionBeforeUpdate": "0.1.2",
    "dependencyOf": [], // list of installed extensions that require this one
    "partOfExtensionPacks": [], // list of installed extension packs containing this one
    "installedManually": true  // whether extension is installed by user or as an requirement or part of extension pack
}

It will allow to implement this features and fix weird behaviours:

• Sort extensions by extension update date #53405
• Delete dependencies if they weren't installed manually previously #149811
• Keep extensions from Extensions Packs if they were installed manually #149809
• Explore Extensions Management UX #68527

This should be default and predictable behaviour of VSCode, since only then extension makers can rely on it.
This is why I don't think the argument in #53405 (comment) is applicable

Here's some pseudocode to show how logic could look like:

When extension installed by user

def write_metadata(extension):
    metadata = extension.metadata = {}
    metedata.installDate = now
    metadata.updateDate = now
    metadata.versionBeforeUpdate = null
    metadata.dependencyOf = set()
    metadata.partOfExtensionPacks = set()
    metedata.installedManually = true
    
    for dependency in extension.dependencies:
        dependency.dependencyOf.add(extension.name)
    
    for dependency in extension.pack:
        dependency.partOfExtensionPacks.add(extension.name)

[vscodenpa]

We closed this issue because we don't plan to address it in the foreseeable future. If you disagree and feel that this issue is crucial: we are happy to listen and to reconsider.

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Thanks for your understanding, and happy coding!