e1.0.0 More restructuring and feature add, full scope for this stage.

.gitignore

@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@
 data
 dev
 logs
+*.log

README.md

@@ -7,10 +7,13 @@ A simple, thread-safe configuration management package for Go applications that
 - **Thread-Safe Operations:** Uses `sync.RWMutex` to protect concurrent access during all configuration operations.
 - **TOML Configuration:** Uses [tinytoml](https://github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml) for loading and saving configuration files.
 - **Command-Line Overrides:** Allows overriding configuration values using dot notation in CLI arguments (e.g., `--server.port 9090`).
-- **Type-Safe Access:** Register configuration paths with default values and receive unique keys (UUIDs) for consistent access.
+- **Path-Based Access:** Register configuration paths with default values for direct, consistent access with clear error messages.
 - **Atomic File Operations:** Ensures configuration files are written atomically to prevent corruption.
 - **Path Validation:** Validates configuration path segments against TOML key requirements.
-- **Minimal Dependencies:** Relies only on `tinytoml` and `google/uuid`.
+- **Minimal Dependencies:** Relies only on `tinytoml` and `mitchellh/mapstructure`.
+- **Struct Unmarshaling:** Supports decoding configuration subtrees into Go structs with the `UnmarshalSubtree` method.
+- **Type Conversions:** Helper methods for converting configuration values to common Go types with detailed error messages.
+- **Hierarchical Data Management:** Automatically handles nested structures through dot notation.
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -21,7 +24,7 @@ go get github.com/LixenWraith/config
 Dependencies will be automatically fetched:
 ```bash
 github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml
-github.com/google/uuid
+github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure
 ```
 
 ## Usage
@@ -32,21 +35,111 @@ github.com/google/uuid
 // 1. Initialize a new Config instance
 cfg := config.New()
 
-// 2. Register configuration keys with paths and default values
+// 2. Register configuration paths with default values
-keyServerHost, err := cfg.Register("server.host", "127.0.0.1")
+err := cfg.Register("server.host", "127.0.0.1")
-keyServerPort, err := cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
+err = cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
 
 // 3. Load configuration from file with CLI argument overrides
 fileExists, err := cfg.Load("app_config.toml", os.Args[1:])
 
-// 4. Access configuration values using the registered keys
+// 4. Access configuration values using the registered paths
-serverHost, _ := cfg.Get(keyServerHost)
+serverHost, err := cfg.String("server.host")
-serverPort, _ := cfg.Get(keyServerPort)
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatal(err)
+}
+
+serverPort, err := cfg.Int64("server.port")
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatal(err)
+}
 
 // 5. Save configuration (creates the file if it doesn't exist)
 err = cfg.Save("app_config.toml")
 ```
 
+### Accessing Typed Values
+
+```go
+// Register configuration paths
+cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
+cfg.Register("debug", false)
+cfg.Register("rate.limit", 1.5)
+cfg.Register("server.name", "default-server")
+
+// Use type-specific accessor methods
+port, err := cfg.Int64("server.port")
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatalf("Error getting port: %v", err)
+}
+
+debug, err := cfg.Bool("debug")
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatalf("Error getting debug flag: %v", err)
+}
+
+rate, err := cfg.Float64("rate.limit")
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatalf("Error getting rate limit: %v", err)
+}
+
+name, err := cfg.String("server.name")
+if err != nil {
+    log.Fatalf("Error getting server name: %v", err)
+}
+```
+
+### Unmarshal Into Structs
+
+```go
+// Define a struct to hold configuration
+type ServerConfig struct {
+    Host    string `toml:"host"`
+    Port    int    `toml:"port"`
+    Timeout int    `toml:"timeout"`
+}
+
+// Register default values if needed
+cfg.Register("server.host", "localhost")
+cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
+cfg.Register("server.timeout", 30)
+
+// Load from file
+cfg.Load("config.toml", nil)
+
+// Unmarshal the "server" subtree into a struct
+var serverCfg ServerConfig
+err := cfg.UnmarshalSubtree("server", &serverCfg)
+```
+
+### Updating Configuration Values
+
+```go
+// Register a configuration path
+cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
+
+// Update the value
+err := cfg.Set("server.port", 9090)
+
+// Save to persist the changes
+cfg.Save("config.toml")
+```
+
+### Removing Configuration Values
+
+```go
+// Register paths
+cfg.Register("server.host", "localhost")
+cfg.Register("server.port", 8080)
+cfg.Register("server.debug", true)
+
+// Unregister a single path
+err := cfg.Unregister("server.port")
+
+// Unregister a parent path and all its children
+// This would remove server.host, server.port, and server.debug
+err = cfg.Unregister("server")
+```
+
 ### CLI Arguments
 
 Command-line arguments override file configuration using dot notation:
@@ -67,22 +160,63 @@ Flags without values are treated as boolean `true`.
 
 Creates and returns a new, initialized `*Config` instance ready for use.
 
-### `(*Config) Register(path string, defaultValue any) (string, error)`
+### `(*Config) Register(path string, defaultValue any) error`
 
-Registers a configuration path with a default value and returns a unique UUID key.
+Registers a configuration path with a default value.
 
 - **path**: Dot-separated path corresponding to the TOML structure. Each segment must be a valid TOML key.
-- **defaultValue**: The value returned by `Get` if not found in configuration or CLI.
+- **defaultValue**: The value returned if no other value has been set through Load or Set.
-- **Returns**: UUID string (key) for use with `Get` and error (nil on success)
+- **Returns**: Error (nil on success)
 
-### `(*Config) Get(key string) (any, bool)`
+### `(*Config) Get(path string) (any, bool)`
 
-Retrieves a configuration value using the UUID key from `Register`.
+Retrieves a configuration value using the registered path.
 
-- **key**: The UUID string returned by `Register`.
+- **path**: The dot-separated path string used during registration.
-- **Returns**: The configuration value and a boolean indicating if the key was registered.
+- **Returns**: The configuration value and a boolean indicating if the path was registered.
 - **Value precedence**: CLI Argument > Config File Value > Registered Default Value
 
+### `(*Config) String(path string) (string, error)`
+### `(*Config) Int64(path string) (int64, error)`
+### `(*Config) Bool(path string) (bool, error)`
+### `(*Config) Float64(path string) (float64, error)`
+
+Type-specific accessor methods that retrieve and attempt to convert configuration values to the desired type.
+
+- **path**: The dot-separated path string used during registration.
+- **Returns**: The typed value and an error (nil on success).
+- **Errors**: Detailed error messages when:
+  - The path is not registered
+  - The value cannot be converted to the requested type
+  - Type conversion fails (with the specific reason)
+
+### `(*Config) Set(path string, value any) error`
+
+Updates a configuration value using the registered path.
+
+- **path**: The dot-separated path string used during registration.
+- **value**: The new value to set.
+- **Returns**: Error if the path wasn't registered or if setting the value fails.
+
+### `(*Config) Unregister(path string) error`
+
+Removes a configuration path and all its children from the configuration.
+
+- **path**: The dot-separated path string used during registration.
+- **Effects**:
+  - Removes the specified path
+  - Recursively removes all child paths (e.g., unregistering "server" also removes "server.host", "server.port", etc.)
+  - Completely removes both registration and data
+- **Returns**: Error if the path wasn't registered.
+
+### `(*Config) UnmarshalSubtree(basePath string, target any) error`
+
+Decodes a section of the configuration into a struct or map.
+
+- **basePath**: Dot-separated path to the configuration subtree.
+- **target**: Pointer to a struct or map where the configuration should be unmarshaled.
+- **Returns**: Error if unmarshaling fails.
+
 ### `(*Config) Load(filePath string, args []string) (bool, error)`
 
 Loads configuration from a TOML file and merges overrides from command-line arguments.
@@ -103,25 +237,28 @@ Saves the current configuration to the specified TOML file path, performing an a
 ### Key Design Choices
 
 - **Thread Safety**: All operations are protected by a `sync.RWMutex` to support concurrent access.
-- **UUID-based Access**: Using UUIDs for configuration keys ensures type safety and prevents string typos during runtime access via `Get`. The path remains the persistent identifier in the config file.
+- **Unified Storage Model**: Uses a `configItem` struct to store both default values and current values for each path.
-- **Map Structure**: Configuration is stored in nested maps of type `map[string]any`.
+- **Path-Based Access**: Using path strings directly as configuration keys provides a simple, intuitive API while maintaining the path as the persistent identifier in the config file.
+- **Hierarchical Management**: Automatically handles conversion between flat storage and nested TOML structure.
 - **Path Validation**: Configuration paths are validated to ensure they contain only valid TOML key segments.
 - **Atomic Saving**: Configuration is written to a temporary file first, then atomically renamed.
-- **CLI Argument Types**: Command-line values are automatically parsed into bool, int64, float64, or string. See note below on Type Handling.
+- **CLI Argument Types**: Command-line values are automatically parsed into bool, int64, float64, or string.
+- **Struct Unmarshaling**: The `UnmarshalSubtree` method uses `mapstructure` to decode configuration subtrees into Go structs.
 
 ### Naming Conventions
 
 - **Paths**: Configuration paths provided to `Register` (e.g., `"server.port"`) are dot-separated strings.
 - **Segments**: Each part of the path between dots (a "segment") must adhere to TOML key naming rules:
-    - Must start with a letter (a-z, A-Z) or an underscore (`_`).
+  - Must start with a letter (a-z, A-Z) or an underscore (`_`).
-    - Subsequent characters can be letters, numbers (0-9), underscores (`_`), or hyphens (`-`).
+  - Subsequent characters can be letters, numbers (0-9), underscores (`_`), or hyphens (`-`).
-    - Segments *cannot* contain dots (`.`).
+  - Segments *cannot* contain dots (`.`).
 
 ### Type Handling Note
 
 - Values loaded from TOML files or parsed from CLI arguments often result in specific types (e.g., `int64` for integers, `float64` for floats) due to the underlying `tinytoml` and `strconv` packages.
 - This might differ from the type of a default value provided during `Register` (e.g., default `int(8080)` vs. loaded `int64(8080)`).
 - When retrieving values using `Get`, be mindful of this potential difference and use appropriate type assertions or checks. Consider using `int64` or `float64` for default values where applicable to maintain consistency.
+- Alternatively, use the type-specific accessors (`Int64`, `Bool`, `Float64`, `String`) which attempt to convert values to the desired type and provide detailed error messages if conversion fails.
 
 ### Merge Behavior Note
 

cmd/main.go

@@ -1,183 +1,257 @@
+// Test program for the config package
 package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
+	"github.com/LixenWraith/config"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-
-	"github.com/LixenWraith/config"
 )
 
-const (
+// LogConfig represents logging configuration parameters
-	initialConfigFile = "config_initial.toml"
+type LogConfig struct {
-	finalConfigFile   = "config_final.toml"
+	// Basic settings
-)
+	Level     int64  `toml:"level"`
-
+	Name      string `toml:"name"`
-// Sample TOML content for the initial configuration file
+	Directory string `toml:"directory"`
-var initialTomlContent = `
+	Format    string `toml:"format"` // "txt" or "json"
-debug = true
+	Extension string `toml:"extension"`
-log_level = "info" # This will be overridden by default
+	// Formatting
-
+	ShowTimestamp bool `toml:"show_timestamp"`
-[server]
+	ShowLevel     bool `toml:"show_level"`
-host = "localhost"
+	// Buffer and size limits
-port = 8080 # This will be overridden by CLI
+	BufferSize     int64 `toml:"buffer_size"`       // Channel buffer size
-
+	MaxSizeMB      int64 `toml:"max_size_mb"`       // Max size per log file
-[smtp]
+	MaxTotalSizeMB int64 `toml:"max_total_size_mb"` // Max total size of all logs in dir
-host = "mail.example.com" # This will be overridden by CLI
+	MinDiskFreeMB  int64 `toml:"min_disk_free_mb"`  // Minimum free disk space required
-port = 587
+	// Timers
-auth_user = "file_user"
+	FlushIntervalMs    int64   `toml:"flush_interval_ms"`    // Interval for flushing file buffer
-# auth_pass is missing, will use default
+	TraceDepth         int64   `toml:"trace_depth"`          // Default trace depth (0-10)
-`
+	RetentionPeriodHrs float64 `toml:"retention_period_hrs"` // Hours to keep logs (0=disabled)
+	RetentionCheckMins float64 `toml:"retention_check_mins"` // How often to check retention
+	// Disk check settings
+	DiskCheckIntervalMs    int64 `toml:"disk_check_interval_ms"`   // Base interval for disk checks
+	EnableAdaptiveInterval bool  `toml:"enable_adaptive_interval"` // Adjust interval based on log rate
+	MinCheckIntervalMs     int64 `toml:"min_check_interval_ms"`    // Minimum adaptive interval
+	MaxCheckIntervalMs     int64 `toml:"max_check_interval_ms"`    // Maximum adaptive interval
+}
 
 func main() {
-	// --- Setup: Create a temporary directory for config files ---
+	// Create a temporary file path for our test
-	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "config_example")
+	tempDir := os.TempDir()
+	configPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, "logconfig_test.toml")
+
+	// Clean up any existing file from previous runs
+	os.Remove(configPath)
+
+	fmt.Println("=== LogConfig Test Program ===")
+	fmt.Printf("Using temporary config file: %s\n\n", configPath)
+
+	// Initialize the Config instance
+	cfg := config.New()
+
+	// Register default values for all LogConfig fields
+	registerLogConfigDefaults(cfg)
+
+	// Load the configuration (will use defaults since file doesn't exist yet)
+	exists, err := cfg.Load(configPath, nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("Failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+		fmt.Printf("Error loading config: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
 	}
-	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir) // Clean up temp directory
+	fmt.Printf("Config file exists: %v (expected: false)\n", exists)
 
-	initialPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, initialConfigFile)
+	// Unmarshal into LogConfig struct
-	finalPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, finalConfigFile)
+	var logConfig LogConfig
-
+	err = cfg.UnmarshalSubtree("log", &logConfig)
-	// Write the initial TOML config file
-	err = os.WriteFile(initialPath, []byte(initialTomlContent), 0644)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("Failed to write initial config file: %v", err)
+		fmt.Printf("Error unmarshaling config: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("Wrote initial config to: %s\n", initialPath)
 
-	// --- Step 1: Create and Register Configuration ---
+	// Print current values
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Step 1: Initialize Config and Register Keys ---")
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Default Configuration Values ===")
-	c := config.New()
+	printLogConfig(logConfig)
 
-	// Register keys and store their UUIDs
+	// Modify some values
-	// Provide default values that might be overridden by file or CLI
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Modifying Configuration Values ===")
-	keyDebug, err := c.Register("debug", false) // Default false, overridden by file
+	fmt.Println("Changing:")
-	handleErr(err)
+	fmt.Println("  - level: 1 → 2")
-	keyLogLevel, err := c.Register("log_level", "warn") // Default warn, file has "info"
+	fmt.Println("  - name: default_logger → modified_logger")
-	handleErr(err)
+	fmt.Println("  - format: txt → json")
-	keyServerHost, err := c.Register("server.host", "127.0.0.1") // Default 127.0.0.1, overridden by file
+	fmt.Println("  - max_size_mb: 10 → 50")
-	handleErr(err)
+	fmt.Println("  - retention_period_hrs: 24.0 → 72.0")
-	keyServerPort, err := c.Register("server.port", 9090) // Default 9090, file 8080, CLI 9999
+	fmt.Println("  - enable_adaptive_interval: false → true")
-	handleErr(err)
-	keySmtpHost, err := c.Register("smtp.host", "default.mail.com") // Default, file mail.example.com, CLI override.mail.com
-	handleErr(err)
-	keySmtpPort, err := c.Register("smtp.port", 25) // Default 25, overridden by file
-	handleErr(err)
-	keySmtpUser, err := c.Register("smtp.auth_user", "default_user") // Default, overridden by file
-	handleErr(err)
-	keySmtpPass, err := c.Register("smtp.auth_pass", "default_pass") // Default, not in file or CLI
-	handleErr(err)
-	keyNewCliFlag, err := c.Register("new_cli_flag", false) // Default false, set true by CLI
-	handleErr(err)
-	keyOnlyDefault, err := c.Register("only_default", "this_is_the_default") // Only has a default value
-	handleErr(err)
 
-	fmt.Println("Registered configuration keys with defaults.")
+	cfg.Set("log.level", int64(2))
-	fmt.Printf("  - debug (default: false): %s\n", keyDebug)
+	cfg.Set("log.name", "modified_logger")
-	fmt.Printf("  - server.port (default: 9090): %s\n", keyServerPort)
+	cfg.Set("log.format", "json")
-	fmt.Printf("  - smtp.auth_pass (default: 'default_pass'): %s\n", keySmtpPass)
+	cfg.Set("log.max_size_mb", int64(50))
-	fmt.Printf("  - only_default (default: 'this_is_the_default'): %s\n", keyOnlyDefault)
+	cfg.Set("log.retention_period_hrs", 72.0)
+	cfg.Set("log.enable_adaptive_interval", true)
 
-	// --- Step 2: Load Configuration from File and CLI Args ---
+	// Save the configuration
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Step 2: Load from File and CLI ---")
+	err = cfg.Save(configPath)
-	// Simulate command-line arguments
+	if err != nil {
-	cliArgs := []string{
+		fmt.Printf("Error saving config: %v\n", err)
-		"--server.port", "9999", // Override file value
+		os.Exit(1)
-		"--smtp.host", "override.mail.com", // Override file value
-		"--new_cli_flag",                       // Set boolean flag to true
-		"--unregistered.cli.arg", "some_value", // This will be loaded but not accessible via registered Get
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("Simulated CLI Args: %v\n", cliArgs)
+	fmt.Printf("\nSaved configuration to: %s\n", configPath)
 
-	foundFile, err := c.Load(initialPath, cliArgs)
+	// Read the file to verify it contains the expected values
-	handleErr(err)
+	fileBytes, err := os.ReadFile(configPath)
-	fmt.Printf("Config file loaded: %t\n", foundFile)
+	if err != nil {
-
+		fmt.Printf("Error reading config file: %v\n", err)
-	// --- Step 3: Access Merged Configuration Values ---
+		os.Exit(1)
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Step 3: Access Merged Values via Get() ---")
-
-	// Retrieve values using the UUID keys. Observe the precedence: Default -> File -> CLI
-	debugVal, _ := c.Get(keyDebug)             // Expect: true (from file)
-	logLevelVal, _ := c.Get(keyLogLevel)       // Expect: "info" (from file)
-	serverHostVal, _ := c.Get(keyServerHost)   // Expect: "localhost" (from file)
-	serverPortVal, _ := c.Get(keyServerPort)   // Expect: 9999 (int64 from CLI)
-	smtpHostVal, _ := c.Get(keySmtpHost)       // Expect: "override.mail.com" (from CLI)
-	smtpPortVal, _ := c.Get(keySmtpPort)       // Expect: 587 (int64 from file - parseArgs converts numbers)
-	smtpUserVal, _ := c.Get(keySmtpUser)       // Expect: "file_user" (from file)
-	smtpPassVal, _ := c.Get(keySmtpPass)       // Expect: "default_pass" (only default exists)
-	newCliFlagVal, _ := c.Get(keyNewCliFlag)   // Expect: true (from CLI flag)
-	onlyDefaultVal, _ := c.Get(keyOnlyDefault) // Expect: "this_is_the_default" (only default exists)
-	_, registered := c.Get("nonexistent-uuid") // Expect: registered = false
-
-	fmt.Printf("Debug          (File): %v (%T)\n", debugVal, debugVal)
-	fmt.Printf("LogLevel       (File): %v (%T)\n", logLevelVal, logLevelVal)
-	fmt.Printf("Server Host    (File): %v (%T)\n", serverHostVal, serverHostVal)
-	fmt.Printf("Server Port    (CLI) : %v (%T)\n", serverPortVal, serverPortVal)
-	fmt.Printf("SMTP Host      (CLI) : %v (%T)\n", smtpHostVal, smtpHostVal)
-	fmt.Printf("SMTP Port      (File): %v (%T)\n", smtpPortVal, smtpPortVal) // Note: parseArgs converts to int64
-	fmt.Printf("SMTP User      (File): %v (%T)\n", smtpUserVal, smtpUserVal)
-	fmt.Printf("SMTP Pass    (Default): %v (%T)\n", smtpPassVal, smtpPassVal)
-	fmt.Printf("New CLI Flag   (CLI) : %v (%T)\n", newCliFlagVal, newCliFlagVal)
-	fmt.Printf("Only Default (Default): %v (%T)\n", onlyDefaultVal, onlyDefaultVal)
-	fmt.Printf("Unregistered UUID     : Found=%t\n", registered)
-
-	// --- Step 4: Save the Final Configuration ---
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Step 4: Save Final Configuration ---")
-	err = c.Save(finalPath)
-	handleErr(err)
-	fmt.Printf("Saved final merged configuration to: %s\n", finalPath)
-
-	// Optional: Print the content of the saved file
-	savedContent, _ := os.ReadFile(finalPath)
-	fmt.Println("--- Content of saved file (config_final.toml): ---")
-	fmt.Println(string(savedContent))
-	fmt.Println("-------------------------------------------------")
-
-	// --- Step 5: Load Saved Config into a New Instance and Compare ---
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Step 5: Reload Saved Config and Verify ---")
-	c2 := config.New()
-
-	// NOTE: For c2 to use Get(), keys would need to be registered again.
-	// For simple verification here, we load and access the underlying map.
-	// In a real app, you'd likely register keys consistently at startup.
-	foundSavedFile, err := c2.Load(finalPath, nil) // Load without CLI args this time
-	handleErr(err)
-	if !foundSavedFile {
-		log.Fatalf("Failed to find the saved config file '%s' for reloading", finalPath)
 	}
-	fmt.Println("Reloaded final config into a new instance.")
 
-	// Directly compare some values from the internal data map for verification
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Generated TOML File Contents ===")
-	// This requires accessing the unexported 'data' field via a helper or reflection,
+	fmt.Println(string(fileBytes))
-	// OR rely on saving/loading being correct (which is what we test here).
-	// Let's assume Save/Load worked and verify the expected final values are present after load.
 
-	// We need to register keys again in c2 to use Get() for comparison
+	// Load the config again to verify it can be read back correctly
-	key2ServerPort, _ := c2.Register("server.port", 0) // Default doesn't matter now
+	exists, err = cfg.Load(configPath, nil)
-	key2SmtpHost, _ := c2.Register("smtp.host", "")
+	if err != nil {
-	key2NewCliFlag, _ := c2.Register("new_cli_flag", false)
+		fmt.Printf("Error reloading config: %v\n", err)
-	key2Unregistered, _ := c2.Register("unregistered.cli.arg", "") // Register the CLI-only arg
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("\nConfig file exists: %v (expected: true)\n", exists)
 
-	reloadedPort, _ := c2.Get(key2ServerPort)
+	// Unmarshal into a new LogConfig to verify loaded values
-	reloadedSmtpHost, _ := c2.Get(key2SmtpHost)
+	var loadedConfig LogConfig
-	reloadedCliFlag, _ := c2.Get(key2NewCliFlag)
+	err = cfg.UnmarshalSubtree("log", &loadedConfig)
-	reloadedUnregistered, _ := c2.Get(key2Unregistered) // Get the value added only via CLI initially
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("Error unmarshaling reloaded config: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
 
-	fmt.Println("Comparing reloaded values:")
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Loaded Configuration Values ===")
-	fmt.Printf("  - Reloaded Server Port: %v (Expected: 9999) - Match: %t\n", reloadedPort, reloadedPort == int64(9999))
+	printLogConfig(loadedConfig)
-	fmt.Printf("  - Reloaded SMTP Host  : %v (Expected: override.mail.com) - Match: %t\n", reloadedSmtpHost, reloadedSmtpHost == "override.mail.com")
-	fmt.Printf("  - Reloaded CLI Flag   : %v (Expected: true) - Match: %t\n", reloadedCliFlag, reloadedCliFlag == true)
-	fmt.Printf("  - Reloaded Unreg Arg  : %v (Expected: some_value) - Match: %t\n", reloadedUnregistered, reloadedUnregistered == "some_value")
 
-	fmt.Println("\n--- Example Finished ---")
+	// Verify specific values were changed correctly
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Verification ===")
+	verifyConfig(loadedConfig)
+
+	// Clean up
+	os.Remove(configPath)
+	fmt.Println("\nCleanup: Temporary file removed.")
+	fmt.Println("\n=== Test Complete ===")
 }
 
-// Simple error handler
+// registerLogConfigDefaults registers all default values for the LogConfig struct
-func handleErr(err error) {
+func registerLogConfigDefaults(cfg *config.Config) {
-	if err != nil {
+	fmt.Println("Registering default values...")
-		log.Fatalf("Error: %v", err)
+
+	// Basic settings
+	cfg.Register("log.level", int64(1))
+	cfg.Register("log.name", "default_logger")
+	cfg.Register("log.directory", "./logs")
+	cfg.Register("log.format", "txt")
+	cfg.Register("log.extension", ".log")
+
+	// Formatting
+	cfg.Register("log.show_timestamp", true)
+	cfg.Register("log.show_level", true)
+
+	// Buffer and size limits
+	cfg.Register("log.buffer_size", int64(1000))
+	cfg.Register("log.max_size_mb", int64(10))
+	cfg.Register("log.max_total_size_mb", int64(100))
+	cfg.Register("log.min_disk_free_mb", int64(500))
+
+	// Timers
+	cfg.Register("log.flush_interval_ms", int64(1000))
+	cfg.Register("log.trace_depth", int64(3))
+	cfg.Register("log.retention_period_hrs", 24.0)
+	cfg.Register("log.retention_check_mins", 15.0)
+
+	// Disk check settings
+	cfg.Register("log.disk_check_interval_ms", int64(60000))
+	cfg.Register("log.enable_adaptive_interval", false)
+	cfg.Register("log.min_check_interval_ms", int64(5000))
+	cfg.Register("log.max_check_interval_ms", int64(300000))
+}
+
+// printLogConfig prints the values of a LogConfig struct
+func printLogConfig(cfg LogConfig) {
+	fmt.Println("Basic settings:")
+	fmt.Printf("  - Level: %d\n", cfg.Level)
+	fmt.Printf("  - Name: %s\n", cfg.Name)
+	fmt.Printf("  - Directory: %s\n", cfg.Directory)
+	fmt.Printf("  - Format: %s\n", cfg.Format)
+	fmt.Printf("  - Extension: %s\n", cfg.Extension)
+
+	fmt.Println("Formatting:")
+	fmt.Printf("  - ShowTimestamp: %t\n", cfg.ShowTimestamp)
+	fmt.Printf("  - ShowLevel: %t\n", cfg.ShowLevel)
+
+	fmt.Println("Buffer and size limits:")
+	fmt.Printf("  - BufferSize: %d\n", cfg.BufferSize)
+	fmt.Printf("  - MaxSizeMB: %d\n", cfg.MaxSizeMB)
+	fmt.Printf("  - MaxTotalSizeMB: %d\n", cfg.MaxTotalSizeMB)
+	fmt.Printf("  - MinDiskFreeMB: %d\n", cfg.MinDiskFreeMB)
+
+	fmt.Println("Timers:")
+	fmt.Printf("  - FlushIntervalMs: %d\n", cfg.FlushIntervalMs)
+	fmt.Printf("  - TraceDepth: %d\n", cfg.TraceDepth)
+	fmt.Printf("  - RetentionPeriodHrs: %.1f\n", cfg.RetentionPeriodHrs)
+	fmt.Printf("  - RetentionCheckMins: %.1f\n", cfg.RetentionCheckMins)
+
+	fmt.Println("Disk check settings:")
+	fmt.Printf("  - DiskCheckIntervalMs: %d\n", cfg.DiskCheckIntervalMs)
+	fmt.Printf("  - EnableAdaptiveInterval: %t\n", cfg.EnableAdaptiveInterval)
+	fmt.Printf("  - MinCheckIntervalMs: %d\n", cfg.MinCheckIntervalMs)
+	fmt.Printf("  - MaxCheckIntervalMs: %d\n", cfg.MaxCheckIntervalMs)
+}
+
+// verifyConfig checks if the modified values were set correctly
+func verifyConfig(cfg LogConfig) {
+	allCorrect := true
+
+	// Check each modified value
+	if cfg.Level != 2 {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: Level is %d, expected 2\n", cfg.Level)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if cfg.Name != "modified_logger" {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: Name is %s, expected 'modified_logger'\n", cfg.Name)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if cfg.Format != "json" {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: Format is %s, expected 'json'\n", cfg.Format)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if cfg.MaxSizeMB != 50 {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: MaxSizeMB is %d, expected 50\n", cfg.MaxSizeMB)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if cfg.RetentionPeriodHrs != 72.0 {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: RetentionPeriodHrs is %.1f, expected 72.0\n", cfg.RetentionPeriodHrs)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if !cfg.EnableAdaptiveInterval {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: EnableAdaptiveInterval is %t, expected true\n", cfg.EnableAdaptiveInterval)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	// Check that unmodified values retained their defaults
+	if cfg.Directory != "./logs" {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: Directory changed to %s, expected './logs'\n", cfg.Directory)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if cfg.BufferSize != 1000 {
+		fmt.Printf("ERROR: BufferSize changed to %d, expected 1000\n", cfg.BufferSize)
+		allCorrect = false
+	}
+
+	if allCorrect {
+		fmt.Println("SUCCESS: All configuration values match expected values!")
+	} else {
+		fmt.Println("FAILURE: Some configuration values don't match expected values!")
 	}
 }

config.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+// Package config provides thread-safe configuration management for Go applications
+// with support for TOML files, command-line overrides, and default values.
 package config
 
 import (
@@ -6,124 +8,228 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
-	"sync" // Added sync import
+	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml"
-	"github.com/google/uuid" // Added uuid import
+	"github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure"
 )
 
-// registeredItem holds metadata for a configuration value registered for access.
+// configItem holds both the default and current value for a configuration path
-type registeredItem struct {
+type configItem struct {
-	path         string // Dot-separated path (e.g., "server.port")
 	defaultValue any
+	currentValue any
 }
 
 // Config manages application configuration loaded from files and CLI arguments.
-// It provides thread-safe access to configuration values.
 type Config struct {
-	data     map[string]any            // Stores the actual configuration data (nested map)
+	items map[string]configItem // Maps paths to config items (default and current values)
-	registry map[string]registeredItem // Maps generated UUIDs to registered items
+	mutex sync.RWMutex          // Protects concurrent access
-	mutex    sync.RWMutex              // Protects concurrent access to data and registry
 }
 
 // New creates and initializes a new Config instance.
 func New() *Config {
 	return &Config{
-		data:     make(map[string]any),
+		items: make(map[string]configItem),
-		registry: make(map[string]registeredItem),
-		// mutex is implicitly initialized
 	}
 }
 
-// Register makes a configuration path known to the Config instance and returns a unique key (UUID) for accessing it.
+// Register makes a configuration path known to the Config instance.
 // The path should be dot-separated (e.g., "server.port", "debug").
 // Each segment of the path must be a valid TOML key identifier.
-// defaultValue is returned by Get if the value is not found in the loaded configuration.
+// defaultValue is the value returned by Get if no specific value has been set.
-func (c *Config) Register(path string, defaultValue any) (string, error) {
+func (c *Config) Register(path string, defaultValue any) error {
 	if path == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("registration path cannot be empty")
+		return fmt.Errorf("registration path cannot be empty")
 	}
 
 	// Validate path segments
 	segments := strings.Split(path, ".")
 	for _, segment := range segments {
-		// tinytoml.isValidKey doesn't exist, but we can use its logic criteria.
-		// Assuming isValidKey checks for alphanumeric, underscore, dash, starting with letter/underscore.
-		// We adapt the validation logic here based on tinytoml's description.
 		if !isValidKeySegment(segment) {
-			return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid path segment %q in path %q", segment, path)
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid path segment %q in path %q", segment, path)
 		}
 	}
 
 	c.mutex.Lock()
 	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	newUUID := uuid.NewString()
+	c.items[path] = configItem{
-	item := registeredItem{
-		path:         path,
 		defaultValue: defaultValue,
+		currentValue: defaultValue, // Initially set to default
 	}
-	c.registry[newUUID] = item
 
-	return newUUID, nil
+	return nil
 }
 
-// Unregister removes a configuration key from the registry.
+// Unregister removes a configuration path and all its children.
-// Subsequent calls to Get with this key will return (nil, false).
+func (c *Config) Unregister(path string) error {
-// This does not remove the value from the underlying configuration data map,
-// only the ability to access it via this specific registration key.
-func (c *Config) Unregister(key string) {
 	c.mutex.Lock()
 	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
-	delete(c.registry, key)
-}
 
-// isValidKeySegment checks if a single path segment is valid.
+	if _, exists := c.items[path]; !exists {
-// Adapts the logic described for tinytoml's isValidKey.
+		return fmt.Errorf("path not registered: %s", path)
-func isValidKeySegment(s string) bool {
-	if len(s) == 0 {
-		return false
 	}
-	firstChar := rune(s[0])
+
-	// Using simplified check: must not contain dots and must be valid TOML key part
+	// Remove the path itself
-	if strings.ContainsRune(s, '.') {
+	delete(c.items, path)
-		return false // Segments themselves cannot contain dots
+
-	}
+	// Remove any child paths
-	if !isAlpha(firstChar) && firstChar != '_' {
+	prefix := path + "."
-		return false
+	for childPath := range c.items {
-	}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(childPath, prefix) {
-	for _, r := range s[1:] {
+			delete(c.items, childPath)
-		if !isAlpha(r) && !isNumeric(r) && r != '-' && r != '_' {
-			return false
 		}
 	}
-	return true
+
+	return nil
 }
 
-// Get retrieves a configuration value using the unique key (UUID) obtained from Register.
+// Get retrieves a configuration value using the path.
-// It returns the value found in the loaded configuration or the registered default value.
+// It returns the current value (or default if not explicitly set).
-// The second return value (bool) indicates if the key was successfully registered (true) or not (false).
+// The second return value indicates if the path was registered.
-func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, bool) {
+func (c *Config) Get(path string) (any, bool) {
 	c.mutex.RLock()
-	item, registered := c.registry[key]
+	defer c.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	item, registered := c.items[path]
 	if !registered {
-		c.mutex.RUnlock()
 		return nil, false
 	}
 
-	// Lookup value in the data map using the item's path
+	return item.currentValue, true
-	value, found := getValueFromMap(c.data, item.path)
+}
-	c.mutex.RUnlock() // Unlock after accessing both registry and data
 
-	if found {
+// Set updates a configuration value for the given path.
-		return value, true
+// It returns an error if the path is not registered.
+func (c *Config) Set(path string, value any) error {
+	c.mutex.Lock()
+	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	item, registered := c.items[path]
+	if !registered {
+		return fmt.Errorf("path %s is not registered", path)
 	}
-	// Key was registered, but value not found in data, return default
+
-	return item.defaultValue, true
+	item.currentValue = value
+	c.items[path] = item
+	return nil
+}
+
+// String retrieves a string configuration value using the path.
+func (c *Config) String(path string) (string, error) {
+	val, found := c.Get(path)
+	if !found {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("path not registered: %s", path)
+	}
+
+	if strVal, ok := val.(string); ok {
+		return strVal, nil
+	}
+
+	// Try to convert other types to string
+	switch v := val.(type) {
+	case fmt.Stringer:
+		return v.String(), nil
+	case error:
+		return v.Error(), nil
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%v", val), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// Int64 retrieves an int64 configuration value using the path.
+func (c *Config) Int64(path string) (int64, error) {
+	val, found := c.Get(path)
+	if !found {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("path not registered: %s", path)
+	}
+
+	// Type assertion
+	if intVal, ok := val.(int64); ok {
+		return intVal, nil
+	}
+
+	// Try to convert other numeric types
+	switch v := val.(type) {
+	case int:
+		return int64(v), nil
+	case float64:
+		return int64(v), nil
+	case string:
+		if i, err := strconv.ParseInt(v, 10, 64); err == nil {
+			return i, nil
+		} else {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert string '%s' to int64: %w", v, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 0, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert %T to int64", val)
+}
+
+// Bool retrieves a boolean configuration value using the path.
+func (c *Config) Bool(path string) (bool, error) {
+	val, found := c.Get(path)
+	if !found {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("path not registered: %s", path)
+	}
+
+	// Type assertion
+	if boolVal, ok := val.(bool); ok {
+		return boolVal, nil
+	}
+
+	// Try to convert string to bool
+	if strVal, ok := val.(string); ok {
+		if b, err := strconv.ParseBool(strVal); err == nil {
+			return b, nil
+		} else {
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert string '%s' to bool: %w", strVal, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Try to interpret numbers
+	switch v := val.(type) {
+	case int:
+		return v != 0, nil
+	case int64:
+		return v != 0, nil
+	case float64:
+		return v != 0, nil
+	}
+
+	return false, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert %T to bool", val)
+}
+
+// Float64 retrieves a float64 configuration value using the path.
+func (c *Config) Float64(path string) (float64, error) {
+	val, found := c.Get(path)
+	if !found {
+		return 0.0, fmt.Errorf("path not registered: %s", path)
+	}
+
+	// Type assertion
+	if floatVal, ok := val.(float64); ok {
+		return floatVal, nil
+	}
+
+	// Try to convert other numeric types
+	switch v := val.(type) {
+	case int:
+		return float64(v), nil
+	case int64:
+		return float64(v), nil
+	case string:
+		if f, err := strconv.ParseFloat(v, 64); err == nil {
+			return f, nil
+		} else {
+			return 0.0, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert string '%s' to float64: %w", v, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 0.0, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert %T to float64", val)
 }
 
 // Load reads configuration from a TOML file and merges overrides from command-line arguments.
-// It populates the Config instance's internal data map.
 // 'args' should be the command-line arguments (e.g., os.Args[1:]).
 // Returns true if the configuration file was found and loaded, false otherwise.
 func (c *Config) Load(path string, args []string) (bool, error) {
@@ -131,7 +237,9 @@ func (c *Config) Load(path string, args []string) (bool, error) {
 	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
 
 	configExists := false
-	loadedData := make(map[string]any) // Load into a temporary map first
+
+	// First, build a nested map for file data (if it exists)
+	nestedData := make(map[string]any)
 
 	if stat, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil && !stat.IsDir() {
 		configExists = true
@@ -140,42 +248,61 @@ func (c *Config) Load(path string, args []string) (bool, error) {
 			return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to read config file '%s': %w", path, err)
 		}
 
-		// Use tinytoml to unmarshal directly into the map
+		if err := tinytoml.Unmarshal(fileData, &nestedData); err != nil {
-		// Pass a pointer to the map for Unmarshal
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse TOML config file '%s': %w", path, err)
-		if err := tinytoml.Unmarshal(fileData, &loadedData); err != nil {
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse config file '%s': %w", path, err)
 		}
 	} else if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		// Handle potential errors from os.Stat other than file not existing
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to check config file '%s': %w", path, err)
 	}
 
-	// Merge loaded data into the main config data
+	// Flatten the nested map into path->value pairs
-	// This ensures existing data (e.g. from defaults set programmatically before load) isn't wiped out
+	flattenedData := flattenMap(nestedData, "")
-	mergeMaps(c.data, loadedData)
 
-	// Parse and merge CLI arguments if any
+	// Parse CLI arguments if any
 	if len(args) > 0 {
-		overrides, err := parseArgs(args)
+		cliOverrides, err := parseArgs(args)
 		if err != nil {
 			return configExists, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse CLI args: %w", err)
 		}
-		// Merge overrides into the potentially file-loaded data
+
-		mergeMaps(c.data, overrides)
+		// Merge CLI overrides into flattened data (CLI takes precedence)
+		for path, value := range flattenMap(cliOverrides, "") {
+			flattenedData[path] = value
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Update configItems with loaded values
+	for path, value := range flattenedData {
+		if item, registered := c.items[path]; registered {
+			// Update existing item
+			item.currentValue = value
+			c.items[path] = item
+		} else {
+			// Create new item with default = current = loaded value
+			c.items[path] = configItem{
+				defaultValue: value,
+				currentValue: value,
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	return configExists, nil
 }
 
-// Save writes the current configuration stored in the Config instance to a TOML file.
+// Save writes the current configuration to a TOML file.
 // It performs an atomic write using a temporary file.
 func (c *Config) Save(path string) error {
 	c.mutex.RLock()
-	// Marshal requires the actual value, not a pointer if data is already a map
-	dataToMarshal := c.data
-	c.mutex.RUnlock() // Unlock before potentially long I/O
 
-	tomlData, err := tinytoml.Marshal(dataToMarshal)
+	// Build a nested map from our flat structure
+	nestedData := make(map[string]any)
+	for path, item := range c.items {
+		setNestedValue(nestedData, path, item.currentValue)
+	}
+
+	c.mutex.RUnlock() // Release lock before I/O operations
+
+	tomlData, err := tinytoml.Marshal(nestedData)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal config: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -193,7 +320,7 @@ func (c *Config) Save(path string) error {
 	defer os.Remove(tempFile.Name()) // Clean up temp file if rename fails
 
 	if _, err := tempFile.Write(tomlData); err != nil {
-		tempFile.Close() // Close file before attempting remove on error path
+		tempFile.Close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write temp config file '%s': %w", tempFile.Name(), err)
 	}
 	if err := tempFile.Sync(); err != nil {
@@ -204,24 +331,92 @@ func (c *Config) Save(path string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to close temp config file '%s': %w", tempFile.Name(), err)
 	}
 
-	// Use Rename for atomic replace
 	if err := os.Rename(tempFile.Name(), path); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to rename temp file to '%s': %w", path, err)
 	}
 
-	// Set permissions after successful rename
 	if err := os.Chmod(path, 0644); err != nil {
-		// Log or handle this non-critical error? For now, return it.
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to set permissions on config file '%s': %w", path, err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+// UnmarshalSubtree decodes the configuration data under a specific base path into the target struct or map.
+func (c *Config) UnmarshalSubtree(basePath string, target any) error {
+	c.mutex.RLock()
+	defer c.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	// Build the nested map from our flat structure
+	fullNestedMap := make(map[string]any)
+	for path, item := range c.items {
+		setNestedValue(fullNestedMap, path, item.currentValue)
+	}
+
+	var subtreeData any
+
+	if basePath == "" {
+		// Use the entire data structure
+		subtreeData = fullNestedMap
+	} else {
+		// Navigate to the specific subtree
+		segments := strings.Split(basePath, ".")
+		current := any(fullNestedMap)
+
+		for _, segment := range segments {
+			currentMap, ok := current.(map[string]any)
+			if !ok {
+				// Path segment is not a map
+				return fmt.Errorf("configuration path segment %q is not a table (map)", segment)
+			}
+
+			value, exists := currentMap[segment]
+			if !exists {
+				// If the path doesn't exist, return an empty map
+				subtreeData = make(map[string]any)
+				break
+			}
+
+			current = value
+		}
+
+		if subtreeData == nil {
+			subtreeData = current
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Ensure we have a map for decoding
+	subtreeMap, ok := subtreeData.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("configuration path %q does not refer to a table (map)", basePath)
+	}
+
+	// Use mapstructure to decode
+	decoder, err := mapstructure.NewDecoder(&mapstructure.DecoderConfig{
+		Result:           target,
+		TagName:          "toml",
+		WeaklyTypedInput: true,
+		DecodeHook: mapstructure.ComposeDecodeHookFunc(
+			mapstructure.StringToTimeDurationHookFunc(),
+			mapstructure.StringToSliceHookFunc(","),
+		),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create mapstructure decoder: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	err = decoder.Decode(subtreeMap)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to decode subtree %q: %w", basePath, err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // parseArgs processes command-line arguments into a nested map structure.
 // Expects arguments in the format "--key.subkey value" or "--booleanflag".
 func parseArgs(args []string) (map[string]any, error) {
-	overrides := make(map[string]any)
+	result := make(map[string]any)
 	i := 0
 	for i < len(args) {
 		arg := args[i]
@@ -258,77 +453,85 @@ func parseArgs(args []string) (map[string]any, error) {
 			value = valueStr // Keep as string if parsing fails
 		}
 
-		// Build nested map structure based on dots in the keyPath
+		// Set the value in the result map
-		keys := strings.Split(keyPath, ".")
+		setNestedValue(result, keyPath, value)
-		currentMap := overrides
+	}
-		for j, key := range keys[:len(keys)-1] {
+
-			// Ensure intermediate paths are maps
+	return result, nil
-			if existingVal, ok := currentMap[key]; ok {
+}
-				if nestedMap, isMap := existingVal.(map[string]any); isMap {
+
-					currentMap = nestedMap // Navigate deeper
+// flattenMap converts a nested map to a flat map with dot-notation paths.
-				} else {
+func flattenMap(nested map[string]any, prefix string) map[string]any {
-					// Error: trying to overwrite a non-map value with a nested structure
+	flat := make(map[string]any)
-					return nil, fmt.Errorf("conflicting CLI key: %q is not a table but has subkey %q", strings.Join(keys[:j+1], "."), keys[j+1])
+
-				}
+	for key, value := range nested {
-			} else {
+		path := key
-				// Create intermediate map
+		if prefix != "" {
-				newMap := make(map[string]any)
+			path = prefix + "." + key
-				currentMap[key] = newMap
+		}
-				currentMap = newMap
+
+		if nestedMap, isMap := value.(map[string]any); isMap {
+			// Recursively flatten nested maps
+			for subPath, subValue := range flattenMap(nestedMap, path) {
+				flat[subPath] = subValue
 			}
-		}
-		// Set the final value
-		lastKey := keys[len(keys)-1]
-		currentMap[lastKey] = value
-	}
-
-	return overrides, nil
-}
-
-// mergeMaps recursively merges the 'override' map into the 'base' map.
-// Values in 'override' take precedence. If both values are maps, they are merged recursively.
-func mergeMaps(base map[string]any, override map[string]any) {
-	if base == nil || override == nil {
-		return // Avoid panic on nil maps, though caller should initialize
-	}
-	for key, overrideVal := range override {
-		baseVal, _ := base[key]
-		// Check if both values are maps for recursive merge
-		baseMap, baseIsMap := baseVal.(map[string]any)
-		overrideMap, overrideIsMap := overrideVal.(map[string]any)
-
-		if baseIsMap && overrideIsMap {
-			// Recursively merge nested maps
-			mergeMaps(baseMap, overrideMap)
 		} else {
-			// Override value (or add if key doesn't exist in base)
+			// Add leaf value
-			base[key] = overrideVal
+			flat[path] = value
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-// getValueFromMap retrieves a value from a nested map using a dot-separated path.
-func getValueFromMap(data map[string]any, path string) (any, bool) {
-	keys := strings.Split(path, ".")
-	current := any(data) // Start with the top-level map
-
-	for _, key := range keys {
-		if currentMap, ok := current.(map[string]any); ok {
-			value, exists := currentMap[key]
-			if !exists {
-				return nil, false // Key not found at this level
-			}
-			current = value // Move to the next level
-		} else {
-			return nil, false // Path segment is not a map, cannot traverse further
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Successfully traversed the entire path
+	return flat
-	return current, true
+}
+
+// setNestedValue sets a value in a nested map using a dot-notation path.
+func setNestedValue(nested map[string]any, path string, value any) {
+	segments := strings.Split(path, ".")
+
+	if len(segments) == 1 {
+		// Base case: set the value directly
+		nested[segments[0]] = value
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Ensure parent map exists
+	if _, exists := nested[segments[0]]; !exists {
+		nested[segments[0]] = make(map[string]any)
+	}
+
+	// Ensure the existing value is a map, or replace it
+	current := nested[segments[0]]
+	currentMap, isMap := current.(map[string]any)
+	if !isMap {
+		currentMap = make(map[string]any)
+		nested[segments[0]] = currentMap
+	}
+
+	// Recurse with remaining path
+	setNestedValue(currentMap, strings.Join(segments[1:], "."), value)
+}
+
+// isValidKeySegment checks if a single path segment is valid.
+func isValidKeySegment(s string) bool {
+	if len(s) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	firstChar := rune(s[0])
+	// Using simplified check: must not contain dots and must be valid TOML key part
+	if strings.ContainsRune(s, '.') {
+		return false // Segments themselves cannot contain dots
+	}
+	if !isAlpha(firstChar) && firstChar != '_' {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, r := range s[1:] {
+		if !isAlpha(r) && !isNumeric(r) && r != '-' && r != '_' {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
 }
 
-// Helper functions adapted from tinytoml internal logic (as it's not exported)
 // isAlpha checks if a character is a letter (A-Z, a-z)
 func isAlpha(c rune) bool {
 	return (c >= 'a' && c <= 'z') || (c >= 'A' && c <= 'Z')

go.mod

@@ -1,12 +1,7 @@
 module github.com/LixenWraith/config
 
-go 1.24.0
+go 1.24.2
 
-toolchain go1.24.2
+require github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20250305012228-6862ba843264
 
-require (
+require github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0
-	github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20250305012228-6862ba843264
-	github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0
-)
-
-require github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0 // indirect

go.sum

@@ -1,8 +1,4 @@
-github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20241125164826-37e61dcbf33b h1:zjNL89uvvL9xB65qKXQGrzVOAH0CWkxRmcbU2uyyUk4=
-github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20241125164826-37e61dcbf33b/go.mod h1:27w5bMp6NIrEuelM/8a+htswf0Dohs/AZ9tSsQ+lnN0=
 github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20250305012228-6862ba843264 h1:p2hpE672qTRuhR9FAt7SIHp8aP0pJbBKushCiIRNRpo=
 github.com/LixenWraith/tinytoml v0.0.0-20250305012228-6862ba843264/go.mod h1:pm+BQlZ/VQC30uaB5Vfeih2b77QkGIiMvu+QgG/XOTk=
-github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0 h1:NIvaJDMOsjHA8n1jAhLSgzrAzy1Hgr+hNrb57e+94F0=
-github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0/go.mod h1:TIyPZe4MgqvfeYDBFedMoGGpEw/LqOeaOT+nhxU+yHo=
 github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0 h1:jeMsZIYE/09sWLaz43PL7Gy6RuMjD2eJVyuac5Z2hdY=
 github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0/go.mod h1:bFUtVrKA4DC2yAKiSyO/QUcy7e+RRV2QTWOzhPopBRo=

test.toml

@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-debug = true
-[server]
-host = "localhost"
-max_conns = 1000
-port = 9090
-read_timeout = 30000000000
-write_timeout = 30000000000
-[smtp]
-auth_pass = "default123"
-auth_user = "admin"
-from_addr = "noreply@example.com"
-host = "mail.example.com"
-port = "587"