Ability to change C module by mere file renaming (Lua 5.1)

[Asko Kauppi <askok@...>]

While it is possible for Lua modules (5.1) to be renamed simply by  
renaming their carriage file, this is not directly so for C modules.   
However, there is a mechanism described for being able to use two  
versions of a same package at once ("require 'v1-mod'" loads "v1"  
file but calls "luaopen_mod()").

Now, why make it so complicated?  Why not just say, that in the  
absence of "luaopen_myfilename()" function, a "luaopen_init()" (or  
similar) will be called.

What was the reason behind making module initialization functions  
carry the module name(space) anyhow?  I think there is/was some, was  
it the static building situation (linking a module statically with  
the main Lua executable)?  Is there any other reason for that behaviour?

With the "defaults to luaopen_init" I think the whole "-" notation  
could be removed. It sounds potentially hazardous, I won't be able to  
make a "sdl-mixer" submodule, would I?

-ak

(hoping the signal/noise is right on this one...:)