#! /usr/bin/ruby
 


 def getparam(paramfile,key)
   currentkey = ""
   value = ""
 


   file = File.open(paramfile)
   while line = file.gets and currentkey != key
     line.chomp!
     if line.match(":")
       currentkey,value = line.split(":")
       currentkey.strip!
       value.strip!
     end
 


   end
   file.close
 


   if currentkey == key
     return value
   else
     return nil
   end
 


 end