TOML Tables Types Explained: A Clear and Complete Guide

TOML (Tom’s Obvious, Minimal Language) is a simple configuration file format designed to be easy to read and write. It is widely used in various applications, especially in the Rust ecosystem and modern software development workflows. One of TOML’s essential features is its table structure, which organizes data efficiently.

In this guide, we’ll learn about TOML tables types, including standard, inline, and array tables. Explore their syntax, structure, and best practices for efficient TOML configuration.

What Are TOML Tables?

At the core of TOML are tables, which store data in key-value pairs. A table in TOML is defined by a header enclosed in square brackets ([]). The header marks the start of a new table, and the lines following it contain key-value pairs associated with that table. Tables can also be nested within one another, creating a hierarchical structure.

Basic Table Example

Let’s start with a simple example of a TOML file:

[fruit]
apple = "red"
orange = "orange"

Here, we have a table called [fruit], which contains two key-value pairs:

• apple = "red"
• orange = "orange"