def method_missing(key_name, *args)
      key_name_str = key_name.to_s()
      if key_name_str =~ /=$/ then
        self[key_name_str.chop()] = args[0]
      else
        return self[key_name_str]
      end
    end
def method_missing(key_name, *args)
      key_name_str = key_name.to_s()
      if key_name_str =~ /=$/ then
        self[key_name_str.chop()] = args[0]
      else
        return self[key_name_str]
      end
    end
allow options to be read and set using method calls.  This capability is primarily for
 allowing the configuration to be defined through a block passed to the configure() function
 from an initializer or similar file.