Lua variable with setfenv scope

Question

I am trying to use Lua source files for configuration purposes, but I do not want the configuration files to pollute the global namespace.

The problem I am facing is that it dofilealways runs in a real global environment, so external files just throw all their declarations into _G.

Here is an example of the main file with comments indicating my wishful thinking.

function myFunc()
    print("In the sandbox:")
    print("Should be 1:", a)  -- falls back to _G for lookup
    a = 2  -- instantiating new global for sandbox
    print("Should be 2:", a)  -- from sandbox
    print("Should still be 1:", _G.a)  -- from host environment

    dofile("loading.lua")  -- here where things go wrong

    print "\nBack in the sandbox:"
    print("Should be 3:", a)  -- changed by loadfile
    print("Should STILL be 1:", _G.a)  -- unchanged
end

a = 1
local newgt = {} -- new environment
setmetatable(newgt, {__index = _G})
setfenv(myFunc, newgt)
myFunc()

print("\nOutside of the sandbox:")
print("Should be 1: ", a)  -- in theory, has never changed

And the download file ( loading.lua:

print ("\nLoading file...")

print("Should be 2: ", a) -- coming from the sandbox environment
a = 3
print("Should be 3: ", a) -- made a change to the environment

And finally, the conclusion that I see:

In the sandbox:
Should be 1: 1
Should be 2: 2
Should still be 1: 1

Loading file...
Should be 2:  1
Should be 3:  3

Back in the sandbox:
Should be 3: 2
Should STILL be 1: 3

Outside of the sandbox:
Should be 1:  3

Answer 1

, , .. -, dofile:

function myapp.import(name)
  local f,e = loadfile(name)
  if not f then error(e, 2) end
  setfenv(f, getfenv(2))
  return f()
end

: