+# read and parse gitweb config file given by its parameter.
+# returns true on success, false on recoverable error, allowing
+# to chain this subroutine, using first file that exists.
+# dies on errors during parsing config file, as it is unrecoverable.
+sub read_config_file {
+ my $filename = shift;
+ return unless defined $filename;
+ # die if there are errors parsing config file
+ if (-e $filename) {
+ do $filename;
+ die $@ if $@;
+ return 1;
+ }
+ return;
+}
+