From 82b358b3ffb1b8ab451327b72a9f8fdfaa16c5a3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: jamesgober Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 18:50:15 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Updated --- CHANGELOG.md | 36 + docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Config.html | 716 ++++++++++++++---- .../JG-Config-ConfigParserFactory.html | 34 +- .../JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigException.html | 12 +- ...onfig-Exceptions-ConfigParseException.html | 12 +- ...fig-Exceptions-InvalidParserException.html | 12 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ConfParser.html | 21 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-IniParser.html | 8 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-JsonParser.html | 8 +- .../JG-Config-Parsers-ParserInterface.html | 8 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-PhpParser.html | 8 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-XmlParser.html | 20 +- .../classes/JG-Config-Parsers-YamlParser.html | 8 +- docs/php/files/src-config.html | 10 +- docs/php/files/src-configparserfactory.html | 13 +- .../files/src-exceptions-configexception.html | 8 + .../src-exceptions-configparseexception.html | 8 + ...src-exceptions-invalidparserexception.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src-parsers-confparser.html | 10 +- docs/php/files/src-parsers-iniparser.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src-parsers-jsonparser.html | 8 + .../files/src-parsers-parserinterface.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src-parsers-phpparser.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src-parsers-xmlparser.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src-parsers-yamlparser.html | 8 + docs/php/files/src/Config.php.txt | 382 ++++++---- .../php/files/src/ConfigParserFactory.php.txt | 41 +- .../src/Exceptions/ConfigException.php.txt | 1 + .../Exceptions/ConfigParseException.php.txt | 1 + .../Exceptions/InvalidParserException.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php.txt | 64 +- docs/php/files/src/Parsers/IniParser.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/files/src/Parsers/JsonParser.php.txt | 1 + .../files/src/Parsers/ParserInterface.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/files/src/Parsers/PhpParser.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/files/src/Parsers/XmlParser.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/files/src/Parsers/YamlParser.php.txt | 1 + docs/php/js/searchIndex.js | 47 +- src/Parsers/ConfParser.php | 63 +- tests/config/config.conf | 11 +- 40 files changed, 1156 insertions(+), 469 deletions(-) diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md index 9397d13..2d91213 100644 --- a/CHANGELOG.md +++ b/CHANGELOG.md @@ -17,6 +17,40 @@ This file tracks all notable changes made to the project, including new features --> +  + + +## [1.0.0-RC.5] - 2024-12-05 + +### Added +- **Custom Parser Support**: Introduced the ability to dynamically register and utilize custom parsers, enhancing extensibility. +- **Non-UTF-8 Handling**: Added improved handling for files with non-UTF-8 encodings, ensuring compatibility across varied environments. +- **Performance Tests**: Included benchmarks and stress tests to validate library performance under high-load scenarios. +- **Extended Cache Operations**: Enhanced cache handling with robust invalidation and expiration logic. +- **Enhanced Flattening Control**: Improved options for enabling/disabling key flattening, offering better flexibility for hierarchical configurations. + +### Changed +- **Default Flattening Behavior**: Updated the `Config` constructor to accept an explicit flag for flattening, providing better control and eliminating unexpected defaults. +- **Parsing Enhancements**: + - Optimized performance for **CONF parsing** by leveraging `file()` for efficient line-by-line processing while preserving spacing and comments. + - Improved regex-based parsing to handle edge cases with clean and flexible key-value extraction. + - Enhanced exception messages to offer more descriptive debugging feedback. +- **Error Handling**: Unified error handling across parsers to provide more informative and actionable exceptions. +- **Streamlining Tests**: + - Refactored `ConfigTest` for clarity, expanded coverage, and consistent structure. + - Reworked performance test cases to accurately benchmark operations under diverse conditions. + +### Fixed +- **Custom Parser Registration**: Resolved issues where dynamically registered custom parsers were not recognized during runtime. +- **UTF-8 Validation**: Addressed conflicts where systems forced UTF-8 encoding, bypassing intended checks for invalid encoding. +- **Max Depth Exceeded**: Fixed edge cases in nested configurations exceeding max depth, ensuring the error is thrown correctly. +- **Cache Structure Validation**: Resolved potential inconsistencies in cache format validation and loading. + +### Removed +- **Test Parsers from Production**: Completely removed test parsers from production code to maintain separation of concerns and a cleaner production environment. +   @@ -130,6 +164,8 @@ This file tracks all notable changes made to the project, including new features + +[1.0.0-RC.5]: https://github.com/jamesgober/Config/compare/v1.0.0-RC.4...v1.0.0-RC.5 [1.0.0-RC.4]: https://github.com/jamesgober/Config/compare/v1.0.0-RC3...v1.0.0-RC.4 [1.0.0-RC.3]: https://github.com/jamesgober/Config/compare/v1.0.0-RC.2...v1.0.0-RC3 [1.0.0-RC.2]: https://github.com/jamesgober/Config/compare/v1.0.0-Rc.1...v1.0.0-RC.2 diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Config.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Config.html index 1511576..49104e6 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Config.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Config.html @@ -125,9 +125,9 @@

Configuration Manager

@@ -162,6 +162,12 @@

+
+ EXPIRE_HALF_DAY + +  = 43200 +
+
EXPIRE_NEVER @@ -175,6 +181,12 @@

 = 86400

+
+ EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR + +  = 3600 +
+
EXPIRE_ONE_MONTH @@ -208,7 +220,8 @@

 : array<string, mixed>

-
Primary configuration storage.
+
Primary configuration storage, including unique keys from +grouped configurations.
$configPath @@ -229,7 +242,8 @@

 : array<string, array<string, string>>

-
Grouped configuration storage.
+
Grouped configuration storage, allowing access by group or +unique key.
$maxDepth @@ -265,7 +279,7 @@

 : void

-
Clears all configuration data.
+
Clears the configuration manager.
delete() @@ -335,14 +349,42 @@

 : bool

-
Loads the configuration and groups from a cache file.
+
Loads configuration and groups from a cache file.
+ +
+ loadFromStream() + +  : bool +
+
Loads configuration data from a stream (e.g., PSR-7 StreamInterface).
+ +
+ loadMultiple() + +  : void +
+
Loads configuration data from multiple files.
+ +
+ mergeConfig() + +  : void +
+
Merges new configuration data into the existing configuration.
+ +
+ resetGroups() + +  : void +
+
Resets the configuration groups to an empty state.
saveCache()  : bool
-
Saves the configuration and groups data to a cache file.
+
Saves the current configuration to a cache file.
setConfigPath() @@ -382,9 +424,9 @@

flattenArray() -  : array<string|int, mixed> +  : array<string, mixed>
-
Flattens a multidimensional array into dot-notated keys and groups.
+
Flattens a nested configuration array.
resolvePath() @@ -393,6 +435,13 @@

Resolves the full file path.
+
+ validateConfigStructure() + +  : void +
+
Validates the structure of configuration and group data.
+

@@ -405,6 +454,38 @@

+

+ EXPIRE_HALF_DAY + + +

+ + + + + + + public + mixed + EXPIRE_HALF_DAY + = 43200 + + + + + + + + + +
+

EXPIRE_NEVER @@ -414,9 +495,9 @@

Common expiration durations in seconds.

@@ -447,9 +528,9 @@

@@ -468,6 +549,38 @@

+

+
+

+ EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR + + +

+ + + + + + + public + mixed + EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR + = 3600 + + + + + + + + +

@@ -479,9 +592,9 @@

@@ -511,9 +624,9 @@

@@ -559,9 +672,9 @@

Indicates whether the configuration cache has been loaded.

@@ -597,12 +710,13 @@

-

Primary configuration storage.

+

Primary configuration storage, including unique keys from +grouped configurations.

@@ -611,10 +725,7 @@

$config = [] -

Stores all configuration key-value pairs, including unique keys -generated from grouped configurations.

-
- + @@ -638,9 +749,9 @@

Default configuration directory path.

@@ -676,9 +787,9 @@

Whether configuration keys should be flattened.

@@ -714,12 +825,13 @@

-

Grouped configuration storage.

+

Grouped configuration storage, allowing access by group or +unique key.

@@ -728,10 +840,7 @@

$groups = [] -

Stores configurations by groups, allowing access by original -source filename or unique key.

-
- + @@ -755,9 +864,9 @@

Maximum allowed depth for nested configurations.

@@ -767,19 +876,17 @@

private int $maxDepth - = 10 - -

This property sets a limit on how deeply nested configurations can be -processed by the flattening logic. Exceeding this depth will result in -a ConfigException being thrown to prevent performance degradation and -manageability issues.

-

Default: 10

-
+ = 3 -

Maximum depth for nested configurations.

+

This property sets a limit on how deeply nested configurations +can be processed by the flattening logic. Exceeding this depth +will result ina ConfigException being thrown to prevent +performance degradation and manageability issues.

+

Default: 3

+ @@ -806,9 +913,9 @@

Constructor.

@@ -820,7 +927,9 @@

- +

Initializes the configuration manager with optional defaults.

+
+

Parameters
@@ -828,7 +937,7 @@
Parameters
: string|null = null
-

Default path for config files (optional).

+

Optional path for configuration files.

@@ -863,9 +972,9 @@

Adds or updates a configuration value.

@@ -877,8 +986,7 @@

-

If the key contains dots, indicating a grouped or flattened list, -the method ensures the group and config data are updated accordingly.

+

Optimized to ensure group structures are maintained efficiently.

Parameters
@@ -923,12 +1031,12 @@

-

Clears all configuration data.

+

Clears the configuration manager.

public @@ -959,9 +1067,9 @@

Deletes a configuration key or group.

@@ -973,9 +1081,8 @@

-

If the provided key corresponds to a group, all keys in that group -will be removed from the configuration array before the group itself -is deleted.

+

Removes a specific key or group from the configuration. If the key represents +a group, all associated keys within the group will also be removed.

Parameters
@@ -992,6 +1099,23 @@
Parameters

+
+ Tags + + +
+
+
+ throws +
+
+ ConfigException + +

If the group structure is invalid.

+
+ +
+
@@ -1011,9 +1135,9 @@

Deletes a cache file.

@@ -1033,7 +1157,7 @@

Parameters
: string
-

The file path of the cache to delete.

+

Path to cache.

@@ -1047,7 +1171,7 @@
Parameters
Return values
bool — -

True if the cache was deleted successfully, false otherwise.

+

True if deleted.

@@ -1067,9 +1191,9 @@

Retrieves configuration from a file.

@@ -1123,9 +1247,9 @@

Retrieves a configuration value.

@@ -1188,9 +1312,9 @@

Retrieves the entire configuration array.

@@ -1232,9 +1356,9 @@

Retrieves all configuration groups.

@@ -1276,9 +1400,9 @@

Checks if a specific configuration key exists.

@@ -1290,10 +1414,7 @@

-

This method first checks if the key exists in the main configuration. -If not, it then checks whether the key corresponds to a group in the grouped configurations.

-
- +

Parameters
@@ -1301,7 +1422,7 @@
Parameters
: string
-

The configuration key to check.

+

The key to check.

@@ -1315,7 +1436,7 @@
Parameters
Return values
bool — -

True if the key or group exists; otherwise, false.

+

True if the key exists, false otherwise.

@@ -1335,9 +1456,9 @@

Checks if the configuration cache has been loaded.

@@ -1359,7 +1480,7 @@

Return values
bool — -

True if the cache has been loaded, false otherwise.

+

True if the cache has been loaded; otherwise, false.

@@ -1379,9 +1500,9 @@

Loads configuration data from a file.

@@ -1393,10 +1514,9 @@

-

Reads the specified file, parses its contents, and merges -the data into the existing configuration. When flattening is enabled, -keys are grouped by the file's base name to create unique keys. If a key -already exists, it will be overwritten.

+

Reads the specified file, parses its contents, and merges the data +into the existing configuration. If the cache is already loaded, +this method skips further processing.

Parameters
@@ -1406,7 +1526,7 @@
Parameters
: string|null = null
-

Absolute or relative path to the file.

+

The file path or name (optional).

@@ -1457,12 +1577,12 @@

-

Loads the configuration and groups from a cache file.

+

Loads configuration and groups from a cache file.

public @@ -1479,13 +1599,103 @@
Parameters
: string
-

The file path of the cache.

+

Path to the cache file.

+
+ +
+

+ + +
+ Tags + + +
+
+
+ throws +
+
+ ConfigException + +

If the cache format is invalid.

+
+ +
+
+ + + +
+
Return values
+ bool + — +

True if the cache was loaded successfully; otherwise, false.

+
+ +
+ +

+
+

+ loadFromStream() + + +

+ + +

Loads configuration data from a stream (e.g., PSR-7 StreamInterface).

+ + + public + loadFromStream(StreamInterface $stream) : bool + +
+
+ + +
Parameters
+
+
+ $stream + : StreamInterface +
+
+

A PSR-7 compatible stream.

+
+ Tags + + +
+
+
+ throws +
+
+ ConfigException + +

If the stream cannot be parsed.

+
+ +
+
@@ -1493,11 +1703,160 @@
Parameters
Return values
bool — -

True if the cache was loaded successfully, false otherwise.

+

True if the configuration was successfully loaded.

+
+
+

+ loadMultiple() + + +

+ + +

Loads configuration data from multiple files.

+ + + public + loadMultiple(array<string|int, string> $filePaths) : void + +
+
+ + +
Parameters
+
+
+ $filePaths + : array<string|int, string> +
+
+

List of file paths.

+
+ +
+
+ + +
+ Tags + + +
+
+
+ throws +
+
+ ConfigException + +

If any file cannot be loaded or parsed.

+
+ +
+
+ + + + +
+
+

+ mergeConfig() + + +

+ + +

Merges new configuration data into the existing configuration.

+ + + public + mergeConfig(array<string, mixed> $newConfig) : void + +
+
+ + +
Parameters
+
+
+ $newConfig + : array<string, mixed> +
+
+

The new configuration data.

+
+ +
+
+ + + + + + +
+
+

+ resetGroups() + + +

+ + +

Resets the configuration groups to an empty state.

+ + + public + resetGroups() : void + +
+
+ + + + + + + +
-

Saves the configuration and groups data to a cache file.

+

Saves the current configuration to a cache file.

public @@ -1535,7 +1894,7 @@
Parameters
: string
-

The file path to save the cache.

+

File path to save cache.

@@ -1544,7 +1903,7 @@
Parameters
: int = 0
-

Expiration time in seconds (0 for no expiration).

+

Expiration time (0 for no expiration).

@@ -1558,7 +1917,7 @@
Parameters
Return values
bool — -

True if the cache was saved successfully, false otherwise.

+

True if successful; otherwise, false.

@@ -1578,9 +1937,9 @@

Sets the configuration directory path.

@@ -1619,7 +1978,7 @@

ConfigException -

If the path is invalid.

+

If the provided path is invalid.

@@ -1643,9 +2002,9 @@

Enables or disables key flattening.

@@ -1691,9 +2050,9 @@

Sets the maximum depth for nested configurations.

@@ -1756,9 +2115,9 @@

Inserts configuration data into the manager.

@@ -1813,9 +2172,9 @@

Parses a configuration file.

@@ -1886,31 +2245,28 @@

-

Flattens a multidimensional array into dot-notated keys and groups.

+

Flattens a nested configuration array.

private - flattenArray(array<string|int, mixed> $data, string $baseKey[, int $currentDepth = 0 ]) : array<string|int, mixed> + flattenArray(array<string, mixed> $data, string $baseKey) : array<string, mixed>
-

This method recursively processes a nested array, converting its keys -into dot-notated strings for flattened storage. It tracks the current -depth to ensure the nesting does not exceed the configured $maxDepth. -If the maximum depth is exceeded, a ConfigException is thrown.

+

Converts nested arrays into dot-notated keys.

Parameters
$data - : array<string|int, mixed> + : array<string, mixed>

The input array to flatten.

@@ -1922,18 +2278,7 @@
Parameters
: string
-

The base key for flattening, used for constructing -dot-notated keys.

-
- -
-
- $currentDepth - : int - = 0
-
-

The current depth of the recursion, used to enforce -the maximum depth constraint (default: 0).

+

The base key for flattening.

@@ -1952,7 +2297,7 @@
ConfigException -

If the maximum depth for nested configurations is exceeded.

+

If the maximum depth is exceeded.

@@ -1962,15 +2307,7 @@
Return values
- array<string|int, mixed> - — -

An array containing two elements:

-
    -
  • The first element is an associative array of flattened key-value pairs.
    • -
  • The second element is an associative array of flattened key mappings to original keys.
    • -
-
- + array<string, mixed>

@@ -1988,9 +2325,9 @@

Resolves the full file path.

@@ -2029,6 +2366,80 @@

Return values
+ +
+

+ validateConfigStructure() + + +

+ + +

Validates the structure of configuration and group data.

+ + + private + validateConfigStructure(array<string|int, mixed> $config, array<string|int, mixed> $groups) : void + +
+
+ + +
Parameters
+
+
+ $config + : array<string|int, mixed> +
+
+

The configuration data.

+
+ +
+
+ $groups + : array<string|int, mixed> +
+
+

The groups data.

+
+ +
+
+ + +
+ Tags + + +
+
+
+ throws +
+
+ ConfigException + +

If the structures are invalid.

+
+ +
+
+ + + +
@@ -2143,8 +2554,10 @@
Return values
  • Constants
  • @@ -2178,6 +2591,10 @@
    Return values
  • isCacheLoaded()
  • load()
  • loadCache()
    • +
  • loadFromStream()
    • +
  • loadMultiple()
    • +
  • mergeConfig()
    • +
  • resetGroups()
  • saveCache()
  • setConfigPath()
  • setFlatten()
    • @@ -2186,6 +2603,7 @@
    Return values
  • parse()
  • flattenArray()
  • resolvePath()
    • +
  • validateConfigStructure()
    • diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-ConfigParserFactory.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-ConfigParserFactory.html index 2ae5a8f..3355e18 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-ConfigParserFactory.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-ConfigParserFactory.html @@ -125,16 +125,18 @@

    ConfigParserFactory

    -

    Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers. Supports default parsers -for common file formats such as JSON, PHP, and XML, and allows custom parsers to be registered.

    +

    Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers. +Supports default parsers for common file formats such as conf, +ini, json, PHP, xml, yaml/yml, and allows custom parsers to be +registered.

    @@ -243,9 +245,9 @@

    Default mapping of file extensions to parser class names.

    @@ -286,9 +288,9 @@

    Creates a parser instance based on the file's extension.

    @@ -359,9 +361,9 @@

    Retrieves the list of all registered parsers.

    @@ -403,9 +405,9 @@

    Bulk registers parsers from an associative array.

    @@ -468,9 +470,9 @@

    Registers a custom parser, allowing users to extend or override default parsers.

    @@ -543,9 +545,9 @@

    Unregisters a parser for a specific file extension.

    diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigException.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigException.html index 1a921fb..778fdde 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigException.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigException.html @@ -130,9 +130,9 @@

    ConfigException

    @@ -213,9 +213,9 @@

    Constructs a new ConfigException instance.

    @@ -279,9 +279,9 @@

    Returns a string representation of the exception.

    diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigParseException.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigParseException.html index 2d19ca7..32d4ed0 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigParseException.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-ConfigParseException.html @@ -130,9 +130,9 @@

    ConfigParseException

    @@ -210,9 +210,9 @@

    Constructs a new ConfigParseException instance.

    @@ -276,9 +276,9 @@

    Provides a string representation of the exception.

    diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-InvalidParserException.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-InvalidParserException.html index 3719a6e..7e8c97a 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-InvalidParserException.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Exceptions-InvalidParserException.html @@ -130,9 +130,9 @@

    InvalidParserException

    @@ -211,9 +211,9 @@

    Constructs a new InvalidParserException.

    @@ -277,9 +277,9 @@

    Provides a string representation of the exception.

    diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ConfParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ConfParser.html index f09df6d..3e3facb 100644 --- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ConfParser.html +++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ConfParser.html @@ -130,16 +130,17 @@

    ConfParser

    Parses key-value pairs from CONF configuration files. This parser supports -flexible key-value syntax with either : or = as separators.

    +clean formatting with = as the separator. It skips comments and empty lines +and trims whitespace while preserving inner spaces.

    @@ -218,9 +219,9 @@

    Parses a CONF configuration file into an associative array.

    @@ -232,10 +233,8 @@

    -

    The method reads key-value pairs from the file, where keys and values are separated -by either : or =. Leading and trailing whitespace is trimmed for both keys and values.

    -

    Example:

    -
    host: localhost
+        
    Example:
    
+
    host = localhost
 user = root
 
    
 
    
@@ -298,9 +297,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Converts string values to their respective PHP scalar types where applicable.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-IniParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-IniParser.html
index 2ba2cb8..93eb6fb 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-IniParser.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-IniParser.html
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    IniParser
    
@@ -211,9 +211,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses an INI file and returns its contents as an associative array.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-JsonParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-JsonParser.html
index a1a08d1..728f547 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-JsonParser.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-JsonParser.html
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    JsonParser
    
@@ -211,9 +211,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses a JSON configuration file and returns its contents as an associative array.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ParserInterface.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ParserInterface.html
index 4218d3c..8310e7e 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ParserInterface.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-ParserInterface.html
@@ -118,9 +118,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    ParserInterface
    
@@ -193,9 +193,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses a configuration file and returns its contents as an associative array.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-PhpParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-PhpParser.html
index 0887cff..6c10df0 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-PhpParser.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-PhpParser.html
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    PhpParser
    
@@ -211,9 +211,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses a PHP configuration file and returns its contents as an array.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-XmlParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-XmlParser.html
index 08e9ee5..6ca9b40 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-XmlParser.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-XmlParser.html
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    XmlParser
    
@@ -232,9 +232,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses an XML configuration file and returns its contents as an associative array.
    
@@ -305,9 +305,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Converts a `SimpleXMLElement` object into an associative array or scalar value.
    
@@ -361,9 +361,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Handles XML parsing errors by throwing an exception with detailed information.
    
@@ -426,9 +426,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Converts string values to their respective PHP scalar types where applicable.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-YamlParser.html b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-YamlParser.html
index a994771..4f8f9a6 100644
--- a/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-YamlParser.html
+++ b/docs/php/classes/JG-Config-Parsers-YamlParser.html
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ 
    
         
 
             
    YamlParser
    
@@ -234,9 +234,9 @@ 
    
     
 
         
    Parses a YAML configuration file and returns its contents as an associative array.
    
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-config.html b/docs/php/files/src-config.html
index 1f8a7a8..8c67ed5 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-config.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-config.html
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ 
    Config.php
    
 
     
    The core configuration management class.
 Provides methods to load, parse, and manage configuration data from
-various sources, including JSON, YAML, XML, and more.
    
+various sources, including conf, ini, json, yaml/yml, xml, and more.
    
 
    PHP version 8.2
    
 
    
 
@@ -125,6 +125,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-configparserfactory.html b/docs/php/files/src-configparserfactory.html
index a3b617a..f4cd2ef 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-configparserfactory.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-configparserfactory.html
@@ -105,8 +105,9 @@ 
    ConfigParserFactory.php
    
             
    ConfigParserFactory.php
    
 
 
-    
    Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers based on file extensions.
-Allows registration of custom parsers and overrides for default parsers.
    
+    
    Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers
+based on file extensions. Allows registration of custom parsers
+and overrides for default parsers.
    
 
    PHP version 8.2
    
 
    
 
@@ -124,6 +125,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configexception.html b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configexception.html
index 471aa78..03c8bc1 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configexception.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configexception.html
@@ -124,6 +124,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configparseexception.html b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configparseexception.html
index 9f547ee..d96da64 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configparseexception.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-configparseexception.html
@@ -123,6 +123,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-invalidparserexception.html b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-invalidparserexception.html
index b47c54d..be5c19f 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-invalidparserexception.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-exceptions-invalidparserexception.html
@@ -123,6 +123,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-confparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-confparser.html
index cda16be..056315e 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-confparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-confparser.html
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ 
    ConfParser.php
    
 
 
     
    Parses key-value pairs from custom CONF configuration files. These files
-typically use : or = as separators for key-value pairs.
    
+typically use = as the separator for key-value pairs.
    
 
    PHP version 8.2
    
 
    
 
@@ -124,6 +124,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-iniparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-iniparser.html
index dbb4611..c895f81 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-iniparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-iniparser.html
@@ -123,6 +123,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-jsonparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-jsonparser.html
index 21fa05a..b92cf48 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-jsonparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-jsonparser.html
@@ -124,6 +124,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-parserinterface.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-parserinterface.html
index 682b4cb..8434517 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-parserinterface.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-parserinterface.html
@@ -125,6 +125,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-phpparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-phpparser.html
index 8671d82..2b673d5 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-phpparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-phpparser.html
@@ -124,6 +124,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-xmlparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-xmlparser.html
index 80bc1e7..735d068 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-xmlparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-xmlparser.html
@@ -124,6 +124,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-yamlparser.html b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-yamlparser.html
index 898938b..6f158a8 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src-parsers-yamlparser.html
+++ b/docs/php/files/src-parsers-yamlparser.html
@@ -123,6 +123,14 @@ 
    
                                             1.0.0
                                                                                 
                                              
+                                    
+                                                
    
+                    since
+                
    
+                
    
+                                            1.0.0
+                                                                                
+                                             
                                     
    
                                                 
    
                     author
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Config.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Config.php.txt
index 6666c23..eab7da6 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Config.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Config.php.txt
@@ -4,36 +4,42 @@
  * 
  * The core configuration management class.
  * Provides methods to load, parse, and manage configuration data from 
- * various sources, including JSON, YAML, XML, and more.
+ * various sources, including conf, ini, json, yaml/yml, xml, and more.
  * 
  * PHP version 8.2
  *
  * @package    JG\Config
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
  * @copyright  2024 James Gober (https://jamesgober.com)
- */
+*/
 declare(strict_types=1);
 
 namespace JG\Config;
 
 use \ltrim;
+use \mkdir;
 use \rtrim;
 use \is_dir;
-use \strtok;
-use \explode;
-use \implode;
+use \unlink;
 use \is_file;
+use \is_array;
 use \strtolower;
 use \array_merge;
 use \array_shift;
+use \json_decode;
+use \json_encode;
 use \preg_replace;
-use \str_contains;
 use \array_key_exists;
-use \JG\Config\ConfigParserFactory;
-use \JG\Config\Exceptions\ConfigException;
+use \file_put_contents;
+use \JSON_PRETTY_PRINT;
+use \JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR;
+use JG\Config\ConfigParserFactory;
+use Psr\Http\Message\StreamInterface;
+use JG\Config\Exceptions\ConfigException;
 
 /**
  * Configuration Manager
@@ -46,73 +52,71 @@ use \JG\Config\Exceptions\ConfigException;
  */
 class Config
 {
-    /**
-     * Common expiration durations in seconds.
-     */
-    public const EXPIRE_NEVER = 0;
-    public const EXPIRE_ONE_DAY = 86400;
-    public const EXPIRE_ONE_WEEK = 604800;
+    /** Common expiration durations in seconds. */
+    public const EXPIRE_NEVER     = 0;
+    public const EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR  = 3600;
+    public const EXPIRE_HALF_DAY  = 43200;
+    public const EXPIRE_ONE_DAY   = 86400;
+    public const EXPIRE_ONE_WEEK  = 604800;
     public const EXPIRE_ONE_MONTH = 2592000;
 
     /**
      * Default configuration directory path.
      *
-     * @var string|null
+     * @var string|null $configPath
      */
     private ?string $configPath = null;
 
     /**
      * Whether configuration keys should be flattened.
      *
-     * @var bool
+     * @var bool $flatten
      */
     private bool $flatten = true;
 
     /**
      * Maximum allowed depth for nested configurations.
      *
-     * This property sets a limit on how deeply nested configurations can be
-     * processed by the flattening logic. Exceeding this depth will result in
-     * a `ConfigException` being thrown to prevent performance degradation and 
-     * manageability issues.
+     * This property sets a limit on how deeply nested configurations 
+     * can be processed by the flattening logic. Exceeding this depth 
+     * will result ina `ConfigException` being thrown to prevent 
+     * performance degradation and manageability issues.
      *
-     * Default: 10
+     * Default: 3
      *
-     * @var int Maximum depth for nested configurations.
+     * @var int $maxDepth
      */
-    private int $maxDepth = 10;
+    private int $maxDepth = 3;
 
     /**
      * Indicates whether the configuration cache has been loaded.
      *
-     * @var bool
+     * @var bool$cacheLoaded
      */
     private bool $cacheLoaded = false;
 
     /**
-     * Grouped configuration storage.
-     *
-     * Stores configurations by groups, allowing access by original
-     * source filename or unique key.
+     * Grouped configuration storage, allowing access by group or 
+     * unique key.
      *
-     * @var array>
+     * @var array> $groups
      */
     private array $groups = [];
 
     /**
-     * Primary configuration storage.
+     * Primary configuration storage, including unique keys from 
+     * grouped configurations.
      *
-     * Stores all configuration key-value pairs, including unique keys
-     * generated from grouped configurations.
-     *
-     * @var array
+     * @var array $config
      */
     private array $config = [];
 
     /**
      * Constructor.
      *
-     * @param string|null $configPath Default path for config files (optional).
+     * Initializes the configuration manager with optional defaults.
+     *
+     * @param string|null $configPath Optional path for configuration files.
      * @param bool $flattenConfig Whether to enable key flattening (default: true).
      */
     public function __construct(?string $configPath = null, bool $flattenConfig = true)
@@ -127,7 +131,7 @@ class Config
      * @param string|null $path Absolute or relative path to the config directory.
      * @return void
      * 
-     * @throws ConfigException If the path is invalid.
+     * @throws ConfigException If the provided path is invalid.
      */
     public function setConfigPath(?string $path = null): void
     {
@@ -153,6 +157,7 @@ class Config
      *
      * @param int $depth Maximum depth to allow.
      * @return void
+     * 
      * @throws ConfigException If the depth is less than 1.
      */
     public function setMaxDepth(int $depth): void
@@ -166,7 +171,7 @@ class Config
     /**
      * Checks if the configuration cache has been loaded.
      *
-     * @return bool True if the cache has been loaded, false otherwise.
+     * @return bool True if the cache has been loaded; otherwise, false.
      */
     public function isCacheLoaded(): bool
     {
@@ -181,15 +186,11 @@ class Config
      */
     private function resolvePath(?string $filePath): ?string
     {
-        if (!$filePath) {
+        if (!$filePath || (!is_file($filePath) && !$this->configPath)) {
             return null;
         }
 
-        if (is_file($filePath)) {
-            return $filePath;
-        }
-
-        return $this->configPath ? $this->configPath . ltrim($filePath, '/') : null;
+        return is_file($filePath) ? $filePath : $this->configPath . ltrim($filePath, '/');
     }
 
     /**
@@ -206,46 +207,53 @@ class Config
     }
 
     /**
-     * Flattens a multidimensional array into dot-notated keys and groups.
+     * Merges new configuration data into the existing configuration.
      *
-     * This method recursively processes a nested array, converting its keys 
-     * into dot-notated strings for flattened storage. It tracks the current 
-     * depth to ensure the nesting does not exceed the configured `$maxDepth`. 
-     * If the maximum depth is exceeded, a `ConfigException` is thrown.
+     * @param array $newConfig The new configuration data.
+     * @return void
+     */
+    public function mergeConfig(array $newConfig): void
+    {
+        $this->config = array_merge($this->config, $newConfig);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Flattens a nested configuration array.
      *
-     * @param array $data The input array to flatten.
-     * @param string $baseKey The base key for flattening, used for constructing
-     *                        dot-notated keys.
-     * @param int $currentDepth The current depth of the recursion, used to enforce
-     *                          the maximum depth constraint (default: 0).
-     * 
-     * @return array An array containing two elements:
-     *               - The first element is an associative array of flattened key-value pairs.
-     *               - The second element is an associative array of flattened key mappings to original keys.
+     * Converts nested arrays into dot-notated keys.
+     *
+     * @param array $data The input array to flatten.
+     * @param string $baseKey The base key for flattening.
+     * @param int $depth Current depth of the flattening process.
+     * @return array
      * 
-     * @throws ConfigException If the maximum depth for nested configurations is exceeded.
+     * @throws ConfigException If the maximum depth is exceeded.
      */
-    private function flattenArray(array $data, string $baseKey, int $currentDepth = 0): array
+    private function flattenArray(array $data, string $baseKey): array
     {
-        if ($currentDepth > $this->maxDepth) {
-            throw new ConfigException(
-                "Maximum depth of {$this->maxDepth} exceeded while processing configuration."
-            );
-        }
-    
         $flattenedData = [];
         $groups = [];
+        $stack = [['data' => $data, 'key' => $baseKey, 'depth' => 0]];
+    
+        while ($stack) {
+            $current = array_pop($stack);
+            $currentData = $current['data'];
+            $currentKey = $current['key'];
+            $currentDepth = $current['depth'];
+    
+            if ($currentDepth >= $this->maxDepth) { // Correctly handle "max depth exceeded"
+                throw new ConfigException("Maximum depth of {$this->maxDepth} exceeded at key: {$currentKey}");
+            }
     
-        foreach ($data as $key => $value) {
-            $fullKey = "{$baseKey}.{$key}";
+            foreach ($currentData as $key => $value) {
+                $fullKey = "{$currentKey}.{$key}";
     
-            if (is_array($value)) {
-                [$nestedFlattened, $nestedGroups] = $this->flattenArray($value, $fullKey, $currentDepth + 1);
-                $flattenedData = array_merge($flattenedData, $nestedFlattened);
-                $groups = array_merge($groups, $nestedGroups);
-            } else {
-                $flattenedData[$fullKey] = $value;
-                $groups[$fullKey] = $key;
+                if (is_array($value)) {
+                    $stack[] = ['data' => $value, 'key' => $fullKey, 'depth' => $currentDepth + 1];
+                } else {
+                    $flattenedData[$fullKey] = $value;
+                    $groups[$fullKey] = $key;
+                }
             }
         }
     
@@ -255,40 +263,75 @@ class Config
     /**
      * Loads configuration data from a file.
      *
-     * Reads the specified file, parses its contents, and merges 
-     * the data into the existing configuration. When flattening is enabled,
-     * keys are grouped by the file's base name to create unique keys. If a key 
-     * already exists, it will be overwritten.
+     * Reads the specified file, parses its contents, and merges the data
+     * into the existing configuration. If the cache is already loaded,
+     * this method skips further processing.
      *
-     * @param string|null $filePath Absolute or relative path to the file.
+     * @param string|null $filePath The file path or name (optional).
      * @return bool True if the configuration was successfully loaded.
+     * 
      * @throws ConfigException If the file cannot be found or parsed.
      */
     public function load(?string $filePath = null): bool
     {
+        if ($this->isCacheLoaded()) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
         $filePath = $this->resolvePath($filePath);
+
         if (!$filePath || !is_file($filePath)) {
             throw new ConfigException("Configuration file not found: {$filePath}");
         }
-    
-        // Parse the configuration file
+
         $parsedData = $this->parse($filePath);
-        if ($parsedData === null) {
-            throw new ConfigException("Failed to parse configuration file: {$filePath}");
+        if (!is_array($parsedData)) {
+            throw new ConfigException("Invalid configuration format in file: {$filePath}. Expected an array.");
         }
-    
+
         if ($this->flatten) {
-            // Flatten the configuration data
-            $baseName = strtolower(preg_replace('/\.[^.]+$/', '', basename($filePath)));
+            $baseName = strtolower(pathinfo($filePath, PATHINFO_FILENAME));
             [$flattenedData, $groups] = $this->flattenArray($parsedData, $baseName);
-    
-            // Insert the flattened data
             $this->insert($flattenedData, [$baseName => $groups]);
-            return true;
+        } else {
+            $this->insert($parsedData);
         }
 
-        // Insert non-flattened data
-        $this->insert($parsedData);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Loads configuration data from multiple files.
+     *
+     * @param array $filePaths List of file paths.
+     * @return void
+     * 
+     * @throws ConfigException If any file cannot be loaded or parsed.
+     */
+    public function loadMultiple(array $filePaths): void
+    {
+        foreach ($filePaths as $filePath) {
+            $this->load($filePath);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Loads configuration data from a stream (e.g., PSR-7 StreamInterface).
+     *
+     * @param StreamInterface $stream A PSR-7 compatible stream.
+     * @return bool True if the configuration was successfully loaded.
+     * 
+     * @throws ConfigException If the stream cannot be parsed.
+     */
+    public function loadFromStream(StreamInterface $stream): bool
+    {
+        $data = json_decode($stream->getContents(), true, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
+
+        if (!is_array($data)) {
+            throw new ConfigException("Failed to parse configuration stream.");
+        }
+
+        $this->insert($data);
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -303,16 +346,26 @@ class Config
     protected function parse(?string $filePath = null): ?array
     {
         $filePath = $this->resolvePath($filePath);
-
+    
         if (!$filePath || !is_file($filePath)) {
             throw new ConfigException("Configuration file not found: {$filePath}");
         }
-
+    
+        $contents = file_get_contents($filePath);
+        if ($contents === false) {
+            throw new ConfigException("Failed to read configuration file: {$filePath}");
+        }
+    
+        // Validate UTF-8 encoding
+        if (!mb_check_encoding($contents, 'UTF-8')) {
+            throw new ConfigException("File encoding must be UTF-8: {$filePath}");
+        }
+    
         $parser = ConfigParserFactory::createParser($filePath);
         if (!$parser) {
             throw new ConfigException("No suitable parser found for: {$filePath}");
         }
-
+    
         return $parser->parse($filePath);
     }
 
@@ -328,30 +381,36 @@ class Config
     }
 
     /**
-     * Checks if a specific configuration key exists.
+     * Validates the structure of configuration and group data.
      *
-     * This method first checks if the key exists in the main configuration.
-     * If not, it then checks whether the key corresponds to a group in the grouped configurations.
-     *
-     * @param string $key The configuration key to check.
-     * @return bool True if the key or group exists; otherwise, false.
+     * @param array $config The configuration data.
+     * @param array $groups The groups data.
+     * @return void
+     * 
+     * @throws ConfigException If the structures are invalid.
      */
-    public function has(string $key): bool
+    private function validateConfigStructure(array $config, array $groups): void
     {
-        // Check if the key exists in the main configuration array
-        if (array_key_exists($key, $this->config)) {
-            return true;
+        if (!is_array($config) || !is_array($groups)) {
+            throw new ConfigException("Invalid configuration structure: Both 'config' and 'groups' must be arrays.");
         }
+    }
 
-        // Check if the key exists as a group
-        return array_key_exists($key, $this->groups);
+    /**
+     * Checks if a specific configuration key exists.
+     *
+     * @param string $key The key to check.
+     * @return bool True if the key exists, false otherwise.
+     */
+    public function has(string $key): bool
+    {
+        return array_key_exists($key, $this->config) || array_key_exists($key, $this->groups);
     }
 
     /**
      * Adds or updates a configuration value.
      *
-     * If the key contains dots, indicating a grouped or flattened list,
-     * the method ensures the group and config data are updated accordingly.
+     * Optimized to ensure group structures are maintained efficiently.
      *
      * @param string $key The configuration key (supports dot notation for groups).
      * @param mixed $value The configuration value.
@@ -359,17 +418,19 @@ class Config
      */
     public function add(string $key, mixed $value): void
     {
-        // Add to config
         $this->config[$key] = $value;
 
         // If the key is dot-notated, update the group
         if (str_contains($key, '.')) {
             $parts = explode('.', $key);
             $group = array_shift($parts);
-            $subKey = implode('.', $parts);
 
-            // Ensure the group exists
-            $this->groups[$group][$key] = $subKey;
+            // Avoid redundant structure initialization
+            if (!isset($this->groups[$group])) {
+                $this->groups[$group] = [];
+            }
+
+            $this->groups[$group][$key] = implode('.', $parts);
         }
     }
 
@@ -388,25 +449,32 @@ class Config
     /**
      * Deletes a configuration key or group.
      *
-     * If the provided key corresponds to a group, all keys in that group
-     * will be removed from the configuration array before the group itself
-     * is deleted.
+     * Removes a specific key or group from the configuration. If the key represents
+     * a group, all associated keys within the group will also be removed.
      *
      * @param string $key The key or group to delete.
      * @return void
+     * 
+     * @throws ConfigException If the group structure is invalid.
      */
     public function delete(string $key): void
     {
+        // Validate group structure if the key is in groups
         if (isset($this->groups[$key])) {
-            // Delete all group keys from config
+            if (!is_array($this->groups[$key])) {
+                throw new ConfigException("Invalid group structure for key: {$key}. Expected an array.");
+            }
+
+            // Remove all keys in the group
             foreach ($this->groups[$key] as $fullKey => $subKey) {
                 unset($this->config[$fullKey]);
             }
+
             unset($this->groups[$key]);
             return;
         }
-    
-        // Delete single key
+
+        // Remove single key
         unset($this->config[$key]);
     }
 
@@ -431,73 +499,89 @@ class Config
     }
 
     /**
-     * Saves the configuration and groups data to a cache file.
+     * Resets the configuration groups to an empty state.
+     *
+     * @return void
+     */
+    public function resetGroups(): void
+    {
+        $this->groups = [];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Saves the current configuration to a cache file.
      *
-     * @param string $filePath The file path to save the cache.
-     * @param int $expires Expiration time in seconds (0 for no expiration).
-     * @return bool True if the cache was saved successfully, false otherwise.
+     * @param string $filePath File path to save cache.
+     * @param int $expires Expiration time (0 for no expiration).
+     * @return bool True if successful; otherwise, false.
      */
     public function saveCache(string $filePath, int $expires = 0): bool
     {
-        // Check if the file is writable or can be created
+        if (!is_array($this->config) || !is_array($this->groups)) {
+            throw new ConfigException("Cannot save cache: 'config' and 'groups' must be arrays.");
+        }
+
         $dir = dirname($filePath);
         if (!is_dir($dir) && !mkdir($dir, 0755, true)) {
             return false;
         }
-        if (is_file($filePath) && !is_writable($filePath)) {
-            return false;
-        }
 
-        $cache = [
+        $data = [
             'config' => $this->config,
             'groups' => $this->groups,
-            'expires' => $expires > 0 ? time() + $expires : false,
+            'expires' => $expires ? time() + $expires : 0,
         ];
 
-        $json = json_encode($cache, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT | JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
-
-        return file_put_contents($filePath, $json) !== false;
+        return file_put_contents($filePath, json_encode($data, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT)) !== false;
     }
 
     /**
-     * Loads the configuration and groups from a cache file.
+     * Loads configuration and groups from a cache file.
      *
-     * @param string $filePath The file path of the cache.
-     * @return bool True if the cache was loaded successfully, false otherwise.
+     * @param string $filePath Path to the cache file.
+     * @return bool True if the cache was loaded successfully; otherwise, false.
+     * 
+     * @throws ConfigException If the cache format is invalid.
      */
     public function loadCache(string $filePath): bool
     {
         if ($this->cacheLoaded) {
             return true;
         }
-
+    
         if (!is_file($filePath) || !is_readable($filePath)) {
             return false;
         }
-
-        $data = json_decode(file_get_contents($filePath), true, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
-
-        if (!is_array($data) || !isset($data['config'], $data['groups'], $data['expires'])) {
+    
+        try {
+            $data = json_decode(file_get_contents($filePath), true, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
+        } catch (\JsonException $e) {
+            unlink($filePath); // Cleanup malformed cache
             return false;
         }
-
-        if ($data['expires'] && time() > $data['expires']) {
+    
+        if (!isset($data['config'], $data['groups']) || !is_array($data['config']) || !is_array($data['groups'])) {
+            unlink($filePath); // Cleanup malformed cache
+            throw new ConfigException("Invalid cache format: 'config' and 'groups' must be arrays.");
+        }
+    
+        if (isset($data['expires']) && $data['expires'] > 0 && time() > $data['expires']) {
             $this->deleteCache($filePath);
             return false;
         }
-
+    
         $this->config = $data['config'];
         $this->groups = $data['groups'];
         $this->cacheLoaded = true;
-
+    
         return true;
     }
 
     /**
      * Deletes a cache file.
      *
-     * @param string $filePath The file path of the cache to delete.
-     * @return bool True if the cache was deleted successfully, false otherwise.
+     * @param string $filePath Path to cache.
+     * @return bool True if deleted.
      */
     public function deleteCache(string $filePath): bool
     {
@@ -505,13 +589,11 @@ class Config
     }
 
     /**
-     * Clears all configuration data.
-     *
-     * @return void
+     * Clears the configuration manager.
      */
     public function clear(): void
     {
-        $this->config = [];
-        $this->groups = [];
+        $this->groups = $this->config = [];
+        $this->cacheLoaded = false;
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/ConfigParserFactory.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/ConfigParserFactory.php.txt
index 0b50fd7..842f25f 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/ConfigParserFactory.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/ConfigParserFactory.php.txt
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@
 /**
  * ConfigParserFactory.php
  * 
- * Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers based on file extensions.
- * Allows registration of custom parsers and overrides for default parsers.
+ * Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers 
+ * based on file extensions. Allows registration of custom parsers 
+ * and overrides for default parsers.
  * 
  * PHP version 8.2
  *
  * @package    JG\Config
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
@@ -29,8 +31,10 @@ use JG\Config\Exceptions\InvalidParserException;
 /**
  * ConfigParserFactory
  * 
- * Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers. Supports default parsers
- * for common file formats such as JSON, PHP, and XML, and allows custom parsers to be registered.
+ * Factory class for creating and managing configuration parsers. 
+ * Supports default parsers for common file formats such as conf,
+ * ini, json, PHP, xml, yaml/yml, and allows custom parsers to be 
+ * registered.
  * 
  * @package JG\Config
  */
@@ -72,7 +76,7 @@ class ConfigParserFactory
         }
 
         throw new InvalidParserException(
-            "No suitable parser found for file extension: .$extension"
+            "No suitable parser found for file extension: .$extension. File: $filePath"
         );
     }
 
@@ -81,21 +85,34 @@ class ConfigParserFactory
      *
      * @param string $extension The file extension for the parser (e.g., 'yaml').
      * @param class-string $parserClass Fully qualified class name of the parser,
-     *                                                         must implement ParserInterface.
+     *                                                   must implement ParserInterface.
      * @return void
      * @throws InvalidParserException If the class does not implement the required interface.
      */
     public static function registerParser(string $extension, string $parserClass): void
     {
-        // Validate that the class implements ParserInterface
+        $extension = strtolower(ltrim($extension, '.'));
+
+        if (empty($extension)) {
+            throw new InvalidParserException("File extension cannot be empty.");
+        }
+        // Validate and instantiate the parser class
+        if ($parserClass && is_a($parserClass, ParserInterface::class, true)) {
+            self::$configParsers[$extension] = $parserClass;
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (!is_a($parserClass, ParserInterface::class, true)) {
             throw new InvalidParserException(
                 "Parser class '{$parserClass}' must implement ParserInterface."
             );
         }
 
-        // Sanitize the extension and register the parser
-        $extension = strtolower(ltrim($extension, '.'));
+        // Optional: prevent duplicate registration unless overwriting
+        if (isset(self::$configParsers[$extension])) {
+            throw new InvalidParserException("Parser for extension '{$extension}' is already registered.");
+        }
+
         self::$configParsers[$extension] = $parserClass;
     }
 
@@ -133,10 +150,16 @@ class ConfigParserFactory
     public static function unregisterParser(string $extension): bool
     {
         $extension = strtolower(ltrim($extension, '.'));
+
+        if (empty($extension)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         if (isset(self::$configParsers[$extension])) {
             unset(self::$configParsers[$extension]);
             return true;
         }
+
         return false;
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigException.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigException.php.txt
index e74f864..5cf3e7e 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigException.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigException.php.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Exceptions
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigParseException.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigParseException.php.txt
index df7065f..18aa9a1 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigParseException.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/ConfigParseException.php.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Exceptions
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/InvalidParserException.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/InvalidParserException.php.txt
index ca2dcdc..0fc660a 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/InvalidParserException.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Exceptions/InvalidParserException.php.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Exceptions
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php.txt
index 3b42dd8..cc04973 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php.txt
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
  * ConfParser.php
  * 
  * Parses key-value pairs from custom CONF configuration files. These files
- * typically use `:` or `=` as separators for key-value pairs.
+ * typically use `=` as the separator for key-value pairs.
  * 
  * PHP version 8.2
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
@@ -18,19 +19,20 @@ declare(strict_types=1);
 
 namespace JG\Config\Parsers;
 
+use \file;
 use \trim;
-use \sprintf;
-use \is_numeric;
-use \strtolower;
-use \preg_match_all;
-use \file_get_contents;
+use \explode;
+use \is_file;
+use \preg_match;
+use \is_readable;
 use \JG\Config\Exceptions\ConfigParseException;
 
 /**
  * ConfParser
  * 
  * Parses key-value pairs from CONF configuration files. This parser supports
- * flexible key-value syntax with either `:` or `=` as separators.
+ * clean formatting with `=` as the separator. It skips comments and empty lines
+ * and trims whitespace while preserving inner spaces.
  * 
  * @package JG\Config\Parsers
  */
@@ -39,12 +41,9 @@ class ConfParser implements ParserInterface
     /**
      * Parses a CONF configuration file into an associative array.
      *
-     * The method reads key-value pairs from the file, where keys and values are separated
-     * by either `:` or `=`. Leading and trailing whitespace is trimmed for both keys and values.
-     *
      * Example:
      * ```
-     * host: localhost
+     * host = localhost
      * user = root
      * ```
      *
@@ -58,40 +57,33 @@ class ConfParser implements ParserInterface
             throw new ConfigParseException("File not found or unreadable: {$filePath}");
         }
 
-        // Attempt to retrieve the file contents
-        $data = file_get_contents($filePath);
-
-        if ($data === false) {
-            throw new ConfigParseException(
-                sprintf("Failed to read CONF configuration file: %s", $filePath)
-            );
+        $lines = file($filePath, FILE_IGNORE_NEW_LINES | FILE_SKIP_EMPTY_LINES);
+        if ($lines === false) {
+            throw new ConfigParseException("Failed to read the CONF file: {$filePath}");
         }
 
-        $out = [];
+        $output = [];
 
-        // Define regex for capturing key-value pairs with `:` or `=` as separator
-        $regex = '/^(?P[a-zA-Z._\-]+[a-zA-Z0-9]*)\s*[:=]\s*(?P.*)$/m';
+        foreach ($lines as $line) {
+            $line = trim($line);
 
-        // Process matches using the defined regex pattern
-        if (preg_match_all($regex, $data, $matches, PREG_SET_ORDER)) {
-            foreach ($matches as $match) {
-                $key = trim($match['key']);
-                $value = trim($match['value']);
+            // Skip comments
+            if (str_starts_with($line, '#') || str_starts_with($line, ';')) {
+                continue;
+            }
 
-                // Convert scalar values (e.g., true, false, null, numbers) if applicable
-                $value = $this->convertValue($value);
+            // Parse key=value pairs
+            $parts = explode('=', $line, 2);
+            if (count($parts) === 2) {
+                $key = trim($parts[0]);
+                $value = trim($parts[1]);
 
-                if ($key !== '' && $value !== '') {
-                    $out[$key] = $value;
-                }
+                // Convert scalar values if applicable
+                $output[$key] = $this->convertValue($value);
             }
-        } else {
-            throw new ConfigParseException(
-                sprintf("No valid key-value pairs found in CONF file: %s", $filePath)
-            );
         }
 
-        return $out;
+        return $output;
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/IniParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/IniParser.php.txt
index 04edfb2..7f2c0e0 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/IniParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/IniParser.php.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/JsonParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/JsonParser.php.txt
index 993287d..7a7743d 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/JsonParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/JsonParser.php.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ParserInterface.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ParserInterface.php.txt
index 835f093..de4a750 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ParserInterface.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/ParserInterface.php.txt
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/PhpParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/PhpParser.php.txt
index e56b88b..0f999cd 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/PhpParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/PhpParser.php.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/XmlParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/XmlParser.php.txt
index ff40ec9..02549e1 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/XmlParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/XmlParser.php.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/YamlParser.php.txt b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/YamlParser.php.txt
index 8553ab7..5d71ea0 100644
--- a/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/YamlParser.php.txt
+++ b/docs/php/files/src/Parsers/YamlParser.php.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
  *
  * @package    JG\Config\Parsers
  * @version    1.0.0
+ * @since      1.0.0
  * @author     James Gober 
  * @link       https://github.com/jamesgober/Config
  * @license    MIT License
diff --git a/docs/php/js/searchIndex.js b/docs/php/js/searchIndex.js
index 951d39a..5c3f746 100644
--- a/docs/php/js/searchIndex.js
+++ b/docs/php/js/searchIndex.js
@@ -40,16 +40,31 @@ Search.appendIndex(
             "name": "insert",
             "summary": "Inserts\u0020configuration\u0020data\u0020into\u0020the\u0020manager.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_insert"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AmergeConfig\u0028\u0029",
+            "name": "mergeConfig",
+            "summary": "Merges\u0020new\u0020configuration\u0020data\u0020into\u0020the\u0020existing\u0020configuration.",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_mergeConfig"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AflattenArray\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "flattenArray",
-            "summary": "Flattens\u0020a\u0020multidimensional\u0020array\u0020into\u0020dot\u002Dnotated\u0020keys\u0020and\u0020groups.",
+            "summary": "Flattens\u0020a\u0020nested\u0020configuration\u0020array.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_flattenArray"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003Aload\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "load",
             "summary": "Loads\u0020configuration\u0020data\u0020from\u0020a\u0020file.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_load"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AloadMultiple\u0028\u0029",
+            "name": "loadMultiple",
+            "summary": "Loads\u0020configuration\u0020data\u0020from\u0020multiple\u0020files.",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_loadMultiple"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AloadFromStream\u0028\u0029",
+            "name": "loadFromStream",
+            "summary": "Loads\u0020configuration\u0020data\u0020from\u0020a\u0020stream\u0020\u0028e.g.,\u0020PSR\u002D7\u0020StreamInterface\u0029.",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_loadFromStream"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003Aparse\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "parse",
@@ -60,6 +75,11 @@ Search.appendIndex(
             "name": "fetch",
             "summary": "Retrieves\u0020configuration\u0020from\u0020a\u0020file.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_fetch"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AvalidateConfigStructure\u0028\u0029",
+            "name": "validateConfigStructure",
+            "summary": "Validates\u0020the\u0020structure\u0020of\u0020configuration\u0020and\u0020group\u0020data.",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_validateConfigStructure"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003Ahas\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "has",
@@ -90,15 +110,20 @@ Search.appendIndex(
             "name": "getGroups",
             "summary": "Retrieves\u0020all\u0020configuration\u0020groups.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_getGroups"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AresetGroups\u0028\u0029",
+            "name": "resetGroups",
+            "summary": "Resets\u0020the\u0020configuration\u0020groups\u0020to\u0020an\u0020empty\u0020state.",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_resetGroups"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AsaveCache\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "saveCache",
-            "summary": "Saves\u0020the\u0020configuration\u0020and\u0020groups\u0020data\u0020to\u0020a\u0020cache\u0020file.",
+            "summary": "Saves\u0020the\u0020current\u0020configuration\u0020to\u0020a\u0020cache\u0020file.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_saveCache"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AloadCache\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "loadCache",
-            "summary": "Loads\u0020the\u0020configuration\u0020and\u0020groups\u0020from\u0020a\u0020cache\u0020file.",
+            "summary": "Loads\u0020configuration\u0020and\u0020groups\u0020from\u0020a\u0020cache\u0020file.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_loadCache"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AdeleteCache\u0028\u0029",
@@ -108,13 +133,23 @@ Search.appendIndex(
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003Aclear\u0028\u0029",
             "name": "clear",
-            "summary": "Clears\u0020all\u0020configuration\u0020data.",
+            "summary": "Clears\u0020the\u0020configuration\u0020manager.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#method_clear"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AEXPIRE_NEVER",
             "name": "EXPIRE_NEVER",
             "summary": "Common\u0020expiration\u0020durations\u0020in\u0020seconds.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#constant_EXPIRE_NEVER"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AEXPIRE_ONE_HOUR",
+            "name": "EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR",
+            "summary": "",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#constant_EXPIRE_ONE_HOUR"
+        },                {
+            "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AEXPIRE_HALF_DAY",
+            "name": "EXPIRE_HALF_DAY",
+            "summary": "",
+            "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#constant_EXPIRE_HALF_DAY"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003AEXPIRE_ONE_DAY",
             "name": "EXPIRE_ONE_DAY",
@@ -153,12 +188,12 @@ Search.appendIndex(
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003A\u0024groups",
             "name": "groups",
-            "summary": "Grouped\u0020configuration\u0020storage.",
+            "summary": "Grouped\u0020configuration\u0020storage,\u0020allowing\u0020access\u0020by\u0020group\u0020or\nunique\u0020key.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#property_groups"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\Config\u003A\u003A\u0024config",
             "name": "config",
-            "summary": "Primary\u0020configuration\u0020storage.",
+            "summary": "Primary\u0020configuration\u0020storage,\u0020including\u0020unique\u0020keys\u0020from\ngrouped\u0020configurations.",
             "url": "classes/JG-Config-Config.html#property_config"
         },                {
             "fqsen": "\\JG\\Config\\ConfigParserFactory",
diff --git a/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php b/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php
index 7af452e..cc04973 100644
--- a/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php
+++ b/src/Parsers/ConfParser.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * ConfParser.php
  * 
  * Parses key-value pairs from custom CONF configuration files. These files
- * typically use `:` or `=` as separators for key-value pairs.
+ * typically use `=` as the separator for key-value pairs.
  * 
  * PHP version 8.2
  *
@@ -19,19 +19,20 @@
 
 namespace JG\Config\Parsers;
 
+use \file;
 use \trim;
-use \sprintf;
-use \is_numeric;
-use \strtolower;
-use \preg_match_all;
-use \file_get_contents;
+use \explode;
+use \is_file;
+use \preg_match;
+use \is_readable;
 use \JG\Config\Exceptions\ConfigParseException;
 
 /**
  * ConfParser
  * 
  * Parses key-value pairs from CONF configuration files. This parser supports
- * flexible key-value syntax with either `:` or `=` as separators.
+ * clean formatting with `=` as the separator. It skips comments and empty lines
+ * and trims whitespace while preserving inner spaces.
  * 
  * @package JG\Config\Parsers
  */
@@ -40,12 +41,9 @@ class ConfParser implements ParserInterface
     /**
      * Parses a CONF configuration file into an associative array.
      *
-     * The method reads key-value pairs from the file, where keys and values are separated
-     * by either `:` or `=`. Leading and trailing whitespace is trimmed for both keys and values.
-     *
      * Example:
      * ```
-     * host: localhost
+     * host = localhost
      * user = root
      * ```
      *
@@ -59,40 +57,33 @@ public function parse(string $filePath): array
             throw new ConfigParseException("File not found or unreadable: {$filePath}");
         }
 
-        // Attempt to retrieve the file contents
-        $data = file_get_contents($filePath);
-
-        if ($data === false) {
-            throw new ConfigParseException(
-                sprintf("Failed to read CONF configuration file: %s", $filePath)
-            );
+        $lines = file($filePath, FILE_IGNORE_NEW_LINES | FILE_SKIP_EMPTY_LINES);
+        if ($lines === false) {
+            throw new ConfigParseException("Failed to read the CONF file: {$filePath}");
         }
 
-        $out = [];
+        $output = [];
 
-        // Define regex for capturing key-value pairs with `:` or `=` as separator
-        $regex = '/^(?P[a-zA-Z._\-]+[a-zA-Z0-9]*)\s*[:=]\s*(?P.*)$/m';
+        foreach ($lines as $line) {
+            $line = trim($line);
 
-        // Process matches using the defined regex pattern
-        if (preg_match_all($regex, $data, $matches, PREG_SET_ORDER)) {
-            foreach ($matches as $match) {
-                $key = trim($match['key']);
-                $value = trim($match['value']);
+            // Skip comments
+            if (str_starts_with($line, '#') || str_starts_with($line, ';')) {
+                continue;
+            }
 
-                // Convert scalar values (e.g., true, false, null, numbers) if applicable
-                $value = $this->convertValue($value);
+            // Parse key=value pairs
+            $parts = explode('=', $line, 2);
+            if (count($parts) === 2) {
+                $key = trim($parts[0]);
+                $value = trim($parts[1]);
 
-                if ($key !== '' && $value !== '') {
-                    $out[$key] = $value;
-                }
+                // Convert scalar values if applicable
+                $output[$key] = $this->convertValue($value);
             }
-        } else {
-            throw new ConfigParseException(
-                sprintf("No valid key-value pairs found in CONF file: %s", $filePath)
-            );
         }
 
-        return $out;
+        return $output;
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/tests/config/config.conf b/tests/config/config.conf
index fe5699d..fe40de1 100644
--- a/tests/config/config.conf
+++ b/tests/config/config.conf
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 # CONFIG COMMENT
-host: localhost
-port = 3306
-user: root
-password = secret
+#
+# TESTING WITH SPACES
+###########WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
+host           = localhost
+port           = 3306
+user           = root
+password       = secret
 
 [app]
 debug = true