'pip index versions' never prints the `(latest)` marker

[2ykwang]

Description

pip index versions has logic that prints INSTALLED: %s (latest) when the installed version is the newest, but a type mismatch in the comparison keeps that branch from ever being taken. So instead of the (latest) marker, a separate LATEST: line is printed.

code:

pip/src/pip/_internal/commands/search.py

Lines 119 to 130 in b834bb8

	if dist.version == latest:
	write_output("INSTALLED: %s (latest)", dist.version)
	else:
	write_output("INSTALLED: %s", dist.version)
	if parse_version(latest).pre:
	write_output(
	"LATEST: %s (pre-release; install"
	" with `pip install --pre`)",
	latest,
	)
	else:
	write_output("LATEST: %s", latest)

Note that fixing the comparison would remove the LATEST: line that is currently printed.

Expected behavior

$ pip index versions django
django (6.0.7)
Available versions: 6.0.7, 6.0.6, 6.0.5, ...
INSTALLED: 6.0.7 (latest)

pip version

26.1.2

Python version

3.14

OS

mac os

How to Reproduce

• pip install django (6.0.7 is the latest release)
• pip index versions django

Output

$ pip index versions django
django (6.0.7)
Available versions: 6.0.7, 6.0.6, 6.0.5, ...
INSTALLED: 6.0.7
LATEST:    6.0.7

Code of Conduct

• I agree to follow the PSF Code of Conduct.

[sepehr-rs]

Thanks for reporting this issue!
I can confirm it reproduces on main. The fix should probably be wrapping dist.version with str to match the types. A PR would be appreciated!

[2ykwang]

thanks for checking. @sepehr-rs
I'll submit a PR soon.