encoding=

# File lib/rexml/encoding.rb, line 23
    def encoding=( enc )
      old_verbosity = $VERBOSE
      begin
        $VERBOSE = false
        enc = enc.nil? ? nil : enc.upcase
        return false if defined? @encoding and enc == @encoding
        if enc and enc != UTF_8
          @encoding = enc
          raise ArgumentError, "Bad encoding name #@encoding" unless @encoding =~ /^[\w-]+$/
          @encoding.untaint 
          begin
            require 'rexml/encodings/ICONV.rb'
            Encoding.apply(self, "ICONV")
          rescue LoadError, Exception
            begin
              enc_file = File.join( "rexml", "encodings", "#@encoding.rb" )
              require enc_file
              Encoding.apply(self, @encoding)
            rescue LoadError => err
              puts err.message
              raise ArgumentError, "No decoder found for encoding #@encoding.  Please install iconv."
            end
          end
        else
          @encoding = UTF_8
          require 'rexml/encodings/UTF-8.rb'
          Encoding.apply(self, @encoding)
        end
      ensure
        $VERBOSE = old_verbosity
      end
      true
    end