This is a very minor behavior when compared with the entire scope, but it is one that I'd like to put a stop to.
I have created a very, very simple SharePoint Feature. It has two elements in its manifest: an aspx webpart page, and an elements xml. I'll paraphrase my elements xml, which just adds a module, below.
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Module Name="Pass" Url="" Path="">
<File Url="pasq.aspx" NavBarHome="True" Type="Ghostable">
<AllUsersWebPart WebPartZoneID="Left" WebPartOrder="0">
<![CDATA[
WARGH THIS PART DOESN'T MATTER FOR THIS QUESTION!
]]>
</AllUsersWebPart>
</File>
</Module>
</Elements>
Now, on the first time I deploy and activate this feature, it works properly. But if I have to deactivate and then reactivate the feature in order to fix some properties in the webpart, then I find myself with a second webpart on the page. Naturally, each similar cycle will just add more and more. I understand that a new webpart must be created in order to employ the changes I just made, but why is the old webpart still on the page? Can I make this older webpart go away automatically as part of the feature activation/deactivation process without needing to employ a Receiver class?