code: function(input_filename, given_options) {
  
      var options = given_options || 'utf8';
  
      var json_back_to_caller;
  
      try {
  
          json_back_to_caller = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(input_filename, given_options));
  
      } catch (err) {
  
              console.log(err);
              process.exit(8);
      };
  
      // console.log("just read from input file ", input_filename);
  
      return json_back_to_caller;
  }
docs: ---