def _process_directive(d_name, d_val):
    """Process a directive.

    Evaluate the directive name and value passed and return the
    processed value. This is a helper function for parse_file.

    Args:
      d_name: Name of the directive
      d_val: The string value to process

    Returns:
      The processed value, which may be the string as it is or an object
      that describes the directive.
    """
    # Process the directive values if necessary.  name and ret don't
    # need any processing.
    if d_name.startswith('include'):
        d_val = d_val.split(',')
    elif d_name == 'args':
        d_val = d_val.split(':')

    # Return the values.
    return d_val