YAML vs TOML for data and config files

[GregHib]

Void uses YAML files to store all of the game data and configuration. This has been okay up until now, IntelliJ has useful highlighting for duplicate map names, anchoring to prevent repeating data, and jump to usage. However these only apply up until about 2-3MB in size before IntelliJ starts struggling. Even with the game loading them was slow enough to justify writing my own parser.

Benefits TOML would bring:

• Allow breaking up data into individual files, mixing and matching different layouts.
  E.g. king_black_dragon.toml could contain npc definition, drops, graphics and animations in one (see below)
• Slightly simpler and easier to read
• Slightly more compact in some cases
• Maybe better read/startup performance?

Cons:

• Stricter
• No multi-line maps (although this could be added if I write my own parser again but would conflict with IDE warnings)
• New syntax - generally fine but has it's own quirks
• No anchoring

Lots of Side-by-side Examples

[anims]
dragon_breath = 81
dragon_attack = 91
dragon_defend = 89
dragon_death = 92

[sounds]
dragons_breath = 2915

npc_spawns = [
    { id = "king_black_dragon", x = 2272, y = 4698, members = true },
]

[gfx.dragon_breath]
id = 393
height = 43
curve = 15
delay = 51
flight_time = [20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20]

[gfx.dragon_breath_toxic]
id = 394
height = 43
curve = 15
delay = 51
flight_time = [20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20]

[gfx.dragon_breath_ice]
id = 395
height = 43
curve = 15
delay = 51
flight_time = [20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20]

[gfx.dragon_breath_shock]
id = 396
height = 43
curve = 15
delay = 51
flight_time = [20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20]

[npcs.king_black_dragon]
id = 50
hitpoints = 2400
att = 240
str = 240
def = 240
mage = 240
style = "stab"
attack_range = 8
attack_radius = 8
max_hit_melee = 250
max_hit_dragonfire = 650
hunt_mode = "aggressive"
allowed_under = true
slayer_xp = 258.0
race = "dragon"
categories = ["black_dragons", "bosses"]
aka = ["kbd"]
respawn_delay = 16
examine = "One of the biggest, meanest dragons around."