Inimini Miny Moe - "Config the thing and let it go!"

Inimini is a universal configuration parser for INI and Git-style config files. Header-only, zero dependencies, and built for the pragmatic developer who wants deep nesting without the YAML whitespace drama.

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Features

• Git & INI Styles: [section] key = value # comment OR [section "topic"] key = value ; comment
• Deep Sub-Headings: [a.b.c] d.e.f = value (configurable depth)
• Parsed Array Values: Comma-separated lists parsed and trimmed automatically
• Variable Expansion: ${VAR} expanded on read/write
• Comment Preservation: Inline and trailing comments preserved with IMI_COMMENT flag
• Cross-Platform Paths: Windows/macOS/Linux/Android/iOS auto-resolution
• Stacked Configs: System → User → Local load order (later overrides earlier)
• Merge Logic: Values overwritten, section comments concatenated (|)
• Header-Only: Single file include, static inline functions, no linking required

YAML, TOML, and JSON? Be damned!

😤 Config isn't about whitespace; it's about simple clarity.

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The How and Why

Config should be easy like Git. It should be versatile and just work. You only need a few lines of code to build a deep, meaningful config system in an age-old format that actually works.

#include "inimini.h"  // Include once per translation unit

int main(int argc, char **argv) {
    inimini_t *cfg = inimini_new();
    
    if (!inimini_load(cfg, "myapp", IMI_COMMENT)) {
        fprintf(stderr, "Config load failed\n");
        inimini_free(cfg);
        return 1;
    }
    
    const char *url     = inimini_getstr(cfg, "server.url", "http://localhost");
    int timeout         = inimini_getint(cfg, "network.timeout", 30);
    double rate_limit   = inimini_getdbl(cfg, "rate.limit", 1.0);
    
    size_t plugin_count = 0;
    char **plugins      = inimini_getarr(cfg, "plugins.enabled", &plugin_count);
    
    bool daemon_mode = inimini_isval(cfg, "core.daemonize", "true");
    
    // Modify if needed
    inimini_setint(cfg, "debug.mode", 1);
    inimini_comment(cfg, "server.url", "External address override");
    
    // Write back
    inimini_write(cfg, "./myapp.conf", IMI_KEEPENV | IMI_COMMENT);
    
    // Clean up arrays returned by getarr()
    for (size_t i = 0; i < plugin_count; i++) free(plugins[i]);
    free(plugins);
    
    inimini_free(cfg);
    return 0;
}

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Quick Start Guide

1. Setup

Copy inimini.h into your project. Include it once per source file:

#include "inimini.h"

2. Load Config

Use inimini_load() to stack system/user/local configs automatically:

inimini_t *cfg = inimini_new();
if (!inimini_load(cfg, "myapp", IMI_SUBSTYLE | IMI_COMMENTS)) {
    // Handle error
}

3. Read Values

Getters handle defaults and type conversion:

const char *host = inimini_getstr(cfg, "db.host", "localhost");
int port = inimini_getint(cfg, "db.port", 5432);

4. Modify & Save

Change values in memory and write back to disk:

inimini_setstr(cfg, "api.key", "new-secret-key");
inimini_write(cfg, "./config/myapp.conf", IMI_SUBSTYLE | IMI_COMMENTS);

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Flags Bitmask

Combine flags to control output style and behavior:

Flag	Value	Effect
IMI_INISTYLE	0x0000	Classic INI: [section] key = value
IMI_GITSTYLE	0x0001	Git style: [section "name"] + indented children
IMI_SUBSTYLE	0x0002	Deep nesting: [section.sub] key = value
IMI_KEEPVARS	0x0004	Preserve ${VAR} literals (don't expand)
IMI_COMMENTS	0x0008	Track/preserve inline/trailing comments

Example: flags = IMI_SUBSTYLE | IMI_COMMENTS;

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Configuration Depth

Control nesting depth at compile time:

#define IMI_DOTDEPTH 2  // Default: splits at 2nd dot [a.b] c.d = val

This determines how many dots are used to form the section header before writing the key.

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File Extention Suffix

Control nesting depth at compile time:

#define IMI_SUFFIXED "ini" // Default: conf

This determines the file extention of your config file.

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Memory Ownership Summary

MUST FREE BY CALLER:

• Config structs from new/read/load/merge
• Array pointers from getarr() + each element string
• Any new allocations explicitly documented above

DO NOT FREE:

• Strings from getters (getstr/getint/getdbl) — internal references tied to cfg lifetime
• Entry comment / parent fields — freed automatically with cfg
• Arrays from getarr() are cache copies — caller owns the array itself

SAFETY: inimini_free() is idempotent. Safe to call on NULL or multiple times.

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License

0BSD — Public Domain equivalent. Use anywhere, free of restrictions.

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"My mommy told me you were the very best one... And I chose Y O U!!!"