# usage: readConfig("filename")
# returns: num. of parameters set
sub readConfig
{
    my $filename=shift;
    my $i=0;
    if(open(CONF, $filename))
    {
        while(<CONF>)
        {
            if(/^\s*(\S+)\s*=\s*([^(#*|\s*)]+)/)
            {
                $$1=$2;
                ++$i;
            }
        }
        return($i);
    }
    else
    {
        return(0);
    }
}