Entire map of nested sections is reset to default when one section is missing a required key

[BlueTree242]

The config is reset when we put a nested section in a map

[A248]

Can you elaborate on and clarify the matter? Also, can you state whether this is a bug or a feature request?

[BlueTree242]

its a bug, when you make map of string and nested section, and soon add new value to nested section, the config is reset

[A248]

This is a bug, but it is a design bug rather than a functional bug. The fix is more difficult than it seems.

When you load the configuration with fallback-to-default behavior, what really happens is default values are created using ConfigurationFactory#loadDefaults. These defaults are then provided to the #load method as auxiliary values (auxiliary values are fallback values). When a configuration option is processed, we have access only to the auxiliary value of the entire configuration option.

Therefore, in the current design, we have only access to the Map<String, YourConfSection> default value but not the YourConfSection default value. Solving this would require a design rework. Possible options:

• Use a node system of ConfigEntry and ConfigValue<T> objects, which can provide additional metadata. This will happen at some point, but it would be a breaking change, and so must either wait until 2.0 or be established with backwards compatibility in mind.
• Creating another #load method on ConfigurationFactory which provides more dynamic handling of auxiliary values, such that they could be requested on-demand from different sources.
• Various "hacks" are possible, including adding a toggle to ConfigurationOptions to provide special behavior for your situation.

[BlueTree242]

Oh! Looks really complicated, whatever it is i am waiting (let me know when there is a beta)