# File lib/mcollective/util.rb, line 442
    def self.versioncmp(version_a, version_b)
      vre = /[-.]|\d+|[^-.\d]+/
      ax = version_a.scan(vre)
      bx = version_b.scan(vre)

      while (ax.length>0 && bx.length>0)
        a = ax.shift
        b = bx.shift

        if( a == b )                 then next
        elsif (a == '-' && b == '-') then next
        elsif (a == '-')             then return -1
        elsif (b == '-')             then return 1
        elsif (a == '.' && b == '.') then next
        elsif (a == '.' )            then return -1
        elsif (b == '.' )            then return 1
        elsif (a =~ /^\d+$/ && b =~ /^\d+$/) then
          if( a =~ /^0/ or b =~ /^0/ ) then
            return a.to_s.upcase <=> b.to_s.upcase
          end
          return a.to_i <=> b.to_i
        else
          return a.upcase <=> b.upcase
        end
      end

      version_a <=> version_b;
    end