A configuration system is disclosed that applies rules of precedence to
evaluate parameters in the context of multiple sections within a
configuration file and in the context of multiple configuration files. The
system brings together multiple sections and multiple files into a unified
whole. The precedential order of sections and files is set by a user and
special section names can be used to override default precedential rules.
If a parameter is set multiple times at different levels in the hierarchy
of belonging, its final value reflects the value set at the level most
closely concerned with the setting of the parameter. The value of a
parameter can be set from an environmental variable or from the value of
another parameter. If a parameter's value depends upon the value of
another parameter, that second parameter is recursively evaluated using
the same precedential rules.
