docs: update spec page to match latest version and sections

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Johann Schopplich
2025-11-25 10:05:12 +01:00
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commit f882cb1153

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@@ -9,75 +9,91 @@ You don't need this page to *use* TOON. It's mainly for implementers and contrib
## Current Version
**Spec v{{ $spec.version }}** (2025-11-24) is the current stable version.
**Spec v{{ $spec.version }}** (2025-11-24) is the current published Working Draft. It is stable for implementation but not yet finalized; see "Status of This Document" in the spec for details.
The spec defines a provisional media type and file extension in §18.2:
## Media Type & File Extension
- **Media type:** `text/toon` (provisional, UTF-8 only)
The spec defines a provisional media type and file extension in [§18.2](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#182-provisional-media-type):
- **Media type:** `text/toon` (provisional, not yet IANAregistered; UTF8 only)
- **File extension:** `.toon`
TOON documents are always UTF8 with LF (`\n`) line endings; the optional `charset` parameter, when present, MUST be `utf-8` per the spec.
## Guided Tour of the Spec
### Core Concepts
**[§1 Terminology and Conventions](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#1-terminology-and-conventions)**
[§1 Terminology and Conventions](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#1-terminology-and-conventions):
Defines key terms like "indentation level", "active delimiter", "strict mode", and RFC2119 keywords (MUST, SHOULD, MAY).
**[§2 Data Model](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#2-data-model)**
[§2 Data Model](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#2-data-model):
Specifies the JSON data model (objects, arrays, primitives), array/object ordering requirements, and canonical number formatting (no exponent notation, no leading/trailing zeros).
**[§3 Encoding Normalization](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#3-encoding-normalization-reference-encoder)**
[§3 Encoding Normalization](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#3-encoding-normalization-reference-encoder):
Defines how non-JSON types (Date, BigInt, NaN, Infinity, undefined, etc.) are normalized before encoding. Required reading for encoder implementers.
**[§4 Decoding Interpretation](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#4-decoding-interpretation-reference-decoder)**
[§4 Decoding Interpretation](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#4-decoding-interpretation-reference-decoder):
Specifies how decoders map text tokens to host values (quoted strings, unquoted primitives, numeric parsing with leading-zero handling). Decoders default to strict mode (`strict = true`) in the reference implementation; strict-mode errors are enumerated in §14.
### Syntax Rules
**[§5 Concrete Syntax and Root Form](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#5-concrete-syntax-and-root-form)**
[§5 Concrete Syntax and Root Form](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#5-concrete-syntax-and-root-form):
Defines TOON's line-oriented, indentation-based notation and how to determine whether the root is an object, array, or primitive.
**[§6 Header Syntax](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#6-header-syntax-normative)**
[§6 Header Syntax](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#6-header-syntax-normative):
Normative ABNF grammar for array headers: `key[N<delim?>]{fields}:`. Specifies bracket segments, delimiter symbols, and field lists.
**[§7 Strings and Keys](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#7-strings-and-keys)**
[§7 Strings and Keys](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#7-strings-and-keys):
Complete quoting rules (when strings MUST be quoted), escape sequences (only `\\`, `\"`, `\n`, `\r`, `\t` are valid), and key encoding requirements.
**[§8 Objects](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#8-objects)**
[§8 Objects](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#8-objects):
Object field encoding (key: value), nesting rules, key order preservation, and empty object handling.
**[§9 Arrays](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#9-arrays)**
[§9 Arrays](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#9-arrays):
Covers all array forms: primitive (inline), arrays of objects (tabular), mixed/non-uniform (list), and arrays of arrays. Includes tabular detection requirements.
**[§10 Objects as List Items](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#10-objects-as-list-items)**
Indentation rules for objects appearing in list items (first field on hyphen line, nested object rules).
[§10 Objects as List Items](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#10-objects-as-list-items):
Indentation rules for objects appearing in list items (first field on the hyphen line), including the canonical pattern when the first field is a tabular array (header on the hyphen line, rows at depth +2, sibling fields at depth +1).
**[§11 Delimiters](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#11-delimiters)**
[§11 Delimiters](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#11-delimiters):
Delimiter scoping (document vs active), delimiter-aware quoting, and parsing rules for comma/tab/pipe delimiters.
**[§12 Indentation and Whitespace](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#12-indentation-and-whitespace)**
[§12 Indentation and Whitespace](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#12-indentation-and-whitespace):
Encoding requirements (consistent spaces, no tabs in indentation, no trailing spaces/newlines) and decoding rules (strict vs non-strict indentation handling).
### Conformance and Validation
**[§13 Conformance and Options](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#13-conformance-and-options)**
Defines conformance classes (encoder, decoder, validator), required options, and conformance checklists.
[§13 Conformance and Options](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#13-conformance-and-options):
Defines conformance classes (encoder, decoder, validator), standardized options, and conformance checklists.
**[§13.4 Key Folding and Path Expansion](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#134-key-folding-and-path-expansion)**
Optional encoder feature (key folding) and decoder feature (path expansion) for collapsing/expanding dotted paths. Specifies safety requirements and conflict resolution.
[§13.4 Key Folding and Path Expansion](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#134-key-folding-and-path-expansion):
Optional encoder feature (key folding) and decoder feature (path expansion) for collapsing/expanding dotted paths, with deep-merge semantics and strict/non-strict conflict resolution.
**[§14 Strict Mode Errors and Diagnostics](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#14-strict-mode-errors-and-diagnostics-authoritative-checklist)**
[§14 Strict Mode Errors and Diagnostics](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#14-strict-mode-errors-and-diagnostics-authoritative-checklist):
**Authoritative checklist** of all strict-mode errors: array count mismatches, syntax errors, indentation errors, structural errors, and path expansion conflicts.
### Implementation Guidance
**[§19 TOON Core Profile](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#19-toon-core-profile-normative-subset)**
[§15 Security Considerations](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#15-security-considerations):
Injection risks, quoting rules, and strict-mode checks relevant to security.
[§16 Internationalization](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#16-internationalization):
Unicode handling and locale-independent number formatting.
[§17 Interoperability and Mappings](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#17-interoperability-and-mappings):
JSON/CSV/YAML mappings and conversion guidance.
[§18 IANA Considerations](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#18-iana-considerations):
Media type registration plans and provisional status.
[§19 TOON Core Profile](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#19-toon-core-profile-normative-subset):
Normative subset of the most common, memory-friendly rules. Useful for minimal implementations.
**[Appendix G: Host Type Normalization Examples](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#appendix-g-host-type-normalization-examples-informative)**
[Appendix G: Host Type Normalization Examples](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#appendix-g-host-type-normalization-examples-informative):
Non-normative guidance for Go, JavaScript, Python, and Rust implementations on normalizing language-specific types.
**[Appendix C: Test Suite and Compliance](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#appendix-c-test-suite-and-compliance-informative)**
[Appendix C: Test Suite and Compliance](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#appendix-c-test-suite-and-compliance-informative):
Reference test suite at [github.com/toon-format/spec/tree/main/tests](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/tree/main/tests) for validating implementations.
## Spec Sections at a Glance
@@ -89,28 +105,35 @@ Reference test suite at [github.com/toon-format/spec/tree/main/tests](https://gi
| §7 | Strings, keys, quoting, escaping | Implementing string handling |
| §8-10 | Objects, arrays, list items | Implementing structure encoding |
| §11-12 | Delimiters, indentation, whitespace | Implementing formatting and validation |
| §13 | Conformance, options, key folding | Implementing options and features |
| §13 | Conformance, options, key folding/path expansion | Implementing options and features |
| §14 | Strict-mode errors | Implementing validators |
| §15-18 | Security, i18n, interoperability, media type | Operational and ecosystem considerations |
| §19 | Core profile | Minimal implementations |
| §20-21 | Versioning, extensibility, IP | Long-term stability and licensing |
## Conformance Checklists
The spec includes three conformance checklists:
### [Encoder Checklist (§13.1)](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#131-encoder-conformance-checklist)
### Encoder Checklist (§13.1) <sup>[↗ SPEC.md](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#131-encoder-conformance-checklist)</sup>
Key requirements:
- Produce UTF-8 with LF line endings
- Use consistent indentation (default 2 spaces, no tabs)
- Escape only `\\`, `\"`, `\n`, `\r`, `\t` in quoted strings
- Escape only `\\`, `\"`, `\n`, `\r`, `\t` in quoted strings; any other escape is invalid
- Quote strings with active delimiter, colon, or structural characters
- Emit array lengths `[N]` matching actual count
- Preserve object key order
- Normalize numbers to non-exponential decimal form
- Convert `-0` to `0`, `NaN`/±Infinity to `null`
- No trailing spaces or trailing newline
- When `keyFolding="safe"` is enabled, folding MUST follow §13.4:
- Only fold IdentifierSegment keys (letters/digits/underscores, no dots),
- Do not introduce collisions with existing sibling keys,
- Do not fold segments that would require quoting.
- When `flattenDepth` is set, folding MUST stop at the configured number of segments (§13.4).
### [Decoder Checklist (§13.2)](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#132-decoder-conformance-checklist)
### Decoder Checklist (§13.2) <sup>[↗ SPEC.md](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#132-decoder-conformance-checklist)</sup>
Key requirements:
- Parse array headers per §6 (length, delimiter, fields)
@@ -119,15 +142,21 @@ Key requirements:
- Type unquoted primitives: true/false/null → booleans/null, numeric → number, else → string
- Enforce strict-mode rules when `strict=true`
- Preserve array order and object key order
- When `expandPaths="safe"` is enabled, expand dotted keys into nested objects per §13.4:
- Split on `.`, only expand when all segments are IdentifierSegments,
- Deep-merge overlapping paths (object + object),
- Do not perform element-wise array merges.
- With `expandPaths="safe"` and `strict=true` (default), MUST error on any expansion conflict (§14.5).
- With `expandPaths="safe"` and `strict=false`, MUST apply deterministic last-write-wins (LWW) conflict resolution (§13.4).
### [Validator Checklist (§13.3)](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#133-validator-conformance-checklist)
### Validator Checklist (§13.3) <sup>[↗ SPEC.md](https://github.com/toon-format/spec/blob/main/SPEC.md#133-validator-conformance-checklist)</sup>
Validators should verify:
- Structural conformance (headers, indentation, list markers)
- Whitespace invariants (no trailing spaces/newlines)
- Delimiter consistency between headers and rows
- Array length counts match declared `[N]`
- All strict-mode requirements
- All strict-mode requirements (including path-expansion conflicts when enabled)
## Versioning