Modules: Allow Module Overloading?

Modules bring up many new issues. Here is a new one for REBOL experts to consider:

Should programs be allowed to overload a module? That is, is it valid to load a module twice?

Concepts to remember when thinking about this question:

• Modules are identified by name (a word)
• Modules create their own context (namespace)
• Modules have version numbers
• Modules can be explicity loaded
• Modules can add exported values to the global environment

So, what advantage is there in allowing overload: It lets you overload exported functions of a module. For example, if some of your program requires an older version of a module, but other parts require a newer version.

This can become a complex issue, and we really like to keep complexity out of REBOL. If we can specify a few simple rules, programmers of all skill levels will benefit.

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