def is_before_version(ref_version, check_version):
    """Check if a version str is before another version str

    Parameters
    ----------
    ref_version : str
        Reference version to compare with ("1.2.3" for instance)
    check_version : str
        Version to check if before reference ("1.3.4" for instance)

    Returns
    -------
    is_before : bool
        True if check_version is before ref_version
    """
    if ref_version == check_version:
        return False

    ref_list = [int(val) for val in ref_version.split(".")]
    check_list = [int(val) for val in check_version.split(".")]

    for ii in range(len(check_list)):
        if len(ref_list) < ii + 1:
            return False
        if ref_list[ii] > check_list[ii]:
            return True
        elif ref_list[ii] < check_list[ii]:
            return False

    # Case 2.1.14.2 vs 2.1.14
    if len(ref_list) > len(check_list):
        return True