From: Tom Clarke <tom@...2i.com>
Date: 2002-11-11T01:48:28+09:00
Subject: Module Version Identification


As part of automating the installation of ruby-packages through 
raa-install I need  a way to figure out what version of a library I have 
installed. I would like to do this without using any kind of database so 
that it works however you happened to install the library.

One idea I had is to do:

module MyModule
	VERSION = "2.3.4"

	.....
end

I don't really care what the standard is, just there is some way of 
find out out what version of a package I have (nor do I care how many 
spaces or tabs there are before VERSION :-))

Other related questions are:
*	Should all library code be contained within name spaces?  
(like the example module above)
*	Should we have a naming convention for loading modules?

It also brings up the general question - is there a will within those 
who develop ruby modules to adhere to some simple standards like this? 
What procedure would we use to make it somewhat official?

-Tom