This is actually one reason Ruby DSLs became so popular. You could take config from an XML file, translate it to the DSL, and have all the basic Ruby features (

This is actually one reason Ruby DSLs became so popular. You could take config from an XML file, translate it to the DSL, and have all the basic Ruby features (flow control included) available as well. For example, there was an ANT library for JRuby that worked super well for using ANT constructs/libraries but in a sane language. What's old is new again :)