update readme

README.md

@@ -110,6 +110,54 @@ firstIP, err := cfg.GetString("allowed_ips.0")
 username, err := cfg.GetString("database.credentials.username")
 ```
 
+## Writing Data
+
+Fin supports writing data back to its format, allowing you to create or modify data at runtime:
+
+```go
+package main
+
+import (
+    "os"
+    "git.sharkk.net/Sharkk/Fin"
+)
+
+func main() {
+    // Create new data structure
+    data := fin.NewData()
+
+    // Set values
+    data.GetData()["server"] = map[string]any{
+        "host": "localhost",
+        "port": 8080,
+    }
+    data.GetData()["debug"] = true
+    data.GetData()["allowed_ips"] = []any{
+        "192.168.1.1",
+        "10.0.0.1",
+    }
+
+    // Write to file
+    file, err := os.Create("config.conf")
+    if err != nil {
+        panic(err)
+    }
+    defer file.Close()
+
+    // Use the Write method
+    err = data.Write(file)
+    if err != nil {
+        panic(err)
+    }
+
+    // Or use the standalone Save function
+    err = fin.Save(file, data)
+    if err != nil {
+        panic(err)
+    }
+}
+```
+
 ## Performance
 
 Fin goes blow-for-blow against Go's standard JSON library, and performs incredibly versus

bench/get_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package scf_test
+package fin_test
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"

bench/parse_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package scf_test
+package fin_test
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"

data.go

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package fin
 
 /*
-	config.go
+	data.go
 	Copyright 2025 Sharkk, sharkk.net
 	Authors: Sky Johnson
 */
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 )
 
-// Config holds a single hierarchical structure and handles parsing
-type Config struct {
+// Data holds a single hierarchical structure and handles parsing
+type Data struct {
 	data          map[string]any
 	dataRef       *map[string]any // Reference to pooled map
 	scanner       *Scanner
@@ -22,48 +22,48 @@ type Config struct {
 	currentToken  Token
 }
 
-// NewConfig creates a new empty config
-func NewConfig() *Config {
+// NewData creates a new empty data structure
+func NewData() *Data {
 	dataRef := GetMap()
 	data := *dataRef
 
-	cfg := &Config{
+	d := &Data{
 		data:    data,
 		dataRef: dataRef,
 		stack:   make([]map[string]any, 0, 8),
 	}
-	cfg.currentObject = cfg.data
-	return cfg
+	d.currentObject = d.data
+	return d
 }
 
 // Release frees any resources and returns them to pools
-func (c *Config) Release() {
-	if c.scanner != nil {
-		ReleaseScanner(c.scanner)
-		c.scanner = nil
+func (d *Data) Release() {
+	if d.scanner != nil {
+		ReleaseScanner(d.scanner)
+		d.scanner = nil
 	}
 
-	if c.dataRef != nil {
-		PutMap(c.dataRef)
-		c.data = nil
-		c.dataRef = nil
+	if d.dataRef != nil {
+		PutMap(d.dataRef)
+		d.data = nil
+		d.dataRef = nil
 	}
-	c.currentObject = nil
-	c.stack = nil
+	d.currentObject = nil
+	d.stack = nil
 }
 
 // GetData retrieves the entirety of the internal data map
-func (c *Config) GetData() map[string]any {
-	return c.data
+func (d *Data) GetData() map[string]any {
+	return d.data
 }
 
-// Get retrieves a value from the config using dot notation
-func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
+// Get retrieves a value from the data using dot notation
+func (d *Data) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 	if key == "" {
-		return c.data, nil
+		return d.data, nil
 	}
 
-	var current any = c.data
+	var current any = d.data
 	start := 0
 	keyLen := len(key)
 
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 }
 
 // GetOr retrieves a value or returns a default if not found
-func (c *Config) GetOr(key string, defaultValue any) any {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetOr(key string, defaultValue any) any {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return defaultValue
 	}
@@ -116,8 +116,8 @@ func (c *Config) GetOr(key string, defaultValue any) any {
 }
 
 // GetString gets a value as string
-func (c *Config) GetString(key string) (string, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetString(key string) (string, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -137,8 +137,8 @@ func (c *Config) GetString(key string) (string, error) {
 }
 
 // GetBool gets a value as boolean
-func (c *Config) GetBool(key string) (bool, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetBool(key string) (bool, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
@@ -153,9 +153,9 @@ func (c *Config) GetBool(key string) (bool, error) {
 	}
 }
 
-// GetInt gets a value as int64
-func (c *Config) GetInt(key string) (int, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+// GetInt gets a value as int
+func (d *Data) GetInt(key string) (int, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
@@ -174,8 +174,8 @@ func (c *Config) GetInt(key string) (int, error) {
 }
 
 // GetFloat gets a value as float64
-func (c *Config) GetFloat(key string) (float64, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetFloat(key string) (float64, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
@@ -193,8 +193,8 @@ func (c *Config) GetFloat(key string) (float64, error) {
 }
 
 // GetArray gets a value as []any
-func (c *Config) GetArray(key string) ([]any, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetArray(key string) ([]any, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -206,8 +206,8 @@ func (c *Config) GetArray(key string) ([]any, error) {
 }
 
 // GetMap gets a value as map[string]any
-func (c *Config) GetMap(key string) (map[string]any, error) {
-	val, err := c.Get(key)
+func (d *Data) GetMap(key string) (map[string]any, error) {
+	val, err := d.Get(key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -219,46 +219,46 @@ func (c *Config) GetMap(key string) (map[string]any, error) {
 }
 
 // Error creates an error with line information from the current token
-func (c *Config) Error(msg string) error {
+func (d *Data) Error(msg string) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("line %d, column %d: %s",
-		c.currentToken.Line, c.currentToken.Column, msg)
+		d.currentToken.Line, d.currentToken.Column, msg)
 }
 
-// Parse parses the config from a reader
-func (c *Config) Parse(r io.Reader) error {
-	c.scanner = NewScanner(r)
-	c.currentObject = c.data
-	err := c.parseContent()
+// Parse parses the data from a reader
+func (d *Data) Parse(r io.Reader) error {
+	d.scanner = NewScanner(r)
+	d.currentObject = d.data
+	err := d.parseContent()
 
 	// Clean up scanner resources even on success
-	if c.scanner != nil {
-		ReleaseScanner(c.scanner)
-		c.scanner = nil
+	if d.scanner != nil {
+		ReleaseScanner(d.scanner)
+		d.scanner = nil
 	}
 
 	return err
 }
 
 // nextToken gets the next meaningful token (skipping comments)
-func (c *Config) nextToken() (Token, error) {
+func (d *Data) nextToken() (Token, error) {
 	for {
-		token, err := c.scanner.NextToken()
+		token, err := d.scanner.NextToken()
 		if err != nil {
 			return token, err
 		}
 
 		// Skip comment tokens
 		if token.Type != TokenComment {
-			c.currentToken = token
+			d.currentToken = token
 			return token, nil
 		}
 	}
 }
 
 // parseContent is the main parsing function
-func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
+func (d *Data) parseContent() error {
 	for {
-		token, err := c.nextToken()
+		token, err := d.nextToken()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
 
 		// We expect top level entries to be names
 		if token.Type != TokenName {
-			return c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("expected name at top level, got token type %v", token.Type))
+			return d.Error(fmt.Sprintf("expected name at top level, got token type %v", token.Type))
 		}
 
 		// Get the property name - copy to create a stable key
@@ -280,11 +280,11 @@ func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
 		PutByteSlice(nameBytes)
 
 		// Get the next token
-		nextToken, err := c.nextToken()
+		nextToken, err := d.nextToken()
 		if err != nil {
 			if err == io.EOF {
 				// EOF after name - store as empty string
-				c.currentObject[name] = ""
+				d.currentObject[name] = ""
 				break
 			}
 			return err
@@ -294,19 +294,19 @@ func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
 
 		if nextToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
 			// It's a nested object/array
-			value, err = c.parseObject()
+			value, err = d.parseObject()
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		} else {
 			// It's a simple value
-			value = c.tokenToValue(nextToken)
+			value = d.tokenToValue(nextToken)
 
 			// Check for potential nested object - look ahead
-			lookAhead, nextErr := c.nextToken()
+			lookAhead, nextErr := d.nextToken()
 			if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
 				// It's a complex object that follows a value
-				nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+				nestedValue, err := d.parseObject()
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -324,19 +324,19 @@ func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
 				}
 			} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type != TokenEOF {
 				// Put the token back if it's not EOF
-				c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+				d.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
 			}
 		}
 
-		// Store the value in the config
-		c.currentObject[name] = value
+		// Store the value in the data
+		d.currentObject[name] = value
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
 // parseObject parses a map or array
-func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
+func (d *Data) parseObject() (any, error) {
 	// Default to treating as an array until we see a name
 	isArray := true
 	arrayRef := GetArray()
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 	}()
 
 	for {
-		token, err := c.nextToken()
+		token, err := d.nextToken()
 		if err != nil {
 			if err == io.EOF {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected EOF in object/array")
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 			PutByteSlice(keyBytes)
 
 			// Look ahead to see what follows
-			nextToken, err := c.nextToken()
+			nextToken, err := d.nextToken()
 			if err != nil {
 				if err == io.EOF {
 					// EOF after key - store as empty value
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 			if nextToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
 				// Nested object
 				isArray = false // If we see a key, it's a map
-				nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+				nestedValue, err := d.parseObject()
 				if err != nil {
 					return nil, err
 				}
@@ -408,14 +408,14 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 			} else {
 				// Key-value pair
 				isArray = false // If we see a key, it's a map
-				value := c.tokenToValue(nextToken)
+				value := d.tokenToValue(nextToken)
 				objectElements[key] = value
 
 				// Check if there's an object following
-				lookAhead, nextErr := c.nextToken()
+				lookAhead, nextErr := d.nextToken()
 				if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
 					// Nested object after value
-					nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+					nestedValue, err := d.parseObject()
 					if err != nil {
 						return nil, err
 					}
@@ -432,21 +432,21 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 						objectElements[key] = combinedMap
 					}
 				} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type != TokenEOF && lookAhead.Type != TokenCloseBrace {
-					c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+					d.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
 				} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenCloseBrace {
 					// We found the closing brace - unread it so it's handled by the main loop
-					c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+					d.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
 				}
 			}
 
 		case TokenString, TokenNumber, TokenBoolean:
 			// Array element
-			value := c.tokenToValue(token)
+			value := d.tokenToValue(token)
 			arrayElements = append(arrayElements, value)
 
 		case TokenOpenBrace:
 			// Nested object/array
-			nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+			nestedValue, err := d.parseObject()
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
@@ -455,30 +455,30 @@ func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
 				arrayElements = append(arrayElements, nestedValue)
 			} else {
 				// If we're in an object context, this is an error
-				return nil, c.Error("unexpected nested object without a key")
+				return nil, d.Error("unexpected nested object without a key")
 			}
 
 		default:
-			return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("unexpected token type: %v", token.Type))
+			return nil, d.Error(fmt.Sprintf("unexpected token type: %v", token.Type))
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-// Load parses a config from a reader
-func Load(r io.Reader) (*Config, error) {
-	config := NewConfig()
-	err := config.Parse(r)
+// Load parses data from a reader
+func Load(r io.Reader) (*Data, error) {
+	data := NewData()
+	err := data.Parse(r)
 
 	if err != nil {
-		config.Release()
+		data.Release()
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	return config, nil
+	return data, nil
 }
 
 // tokenToValue converts a token to a Go value, preserving byte slices until final conversion
-func (c *Config) tokenToValue(token Token) any {
+func (d *Data) tokenToValue(token Token) any {
 	switch token.Type {
 	case TokenString:
 		// Convert to string using pooled buffer

tests/read_test.go

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-package scf_test
+package fin_test
 
 import (
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
-	config "git.sharkk.net/Sharkk/Fin"
+	fin "git.sharkk.net/Sharkk/Fin"
 )
 
 func TestBasicKeyValuePairs(t *testing.T) {
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func TestBasicKeyValuePairs(t *testing.T) {
 	negativeFloat -2.5
 	stringValue "hello world"
 	`
-	config, err := config.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
+	config, err := fin.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func TestComments(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	`
 
-	config, err := config.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
+	config, err := fin.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ func TestArrays(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	`
 
-	config, err := config.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
+	config, err := fin.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ func TestMaps(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	`
 
-	config, err := config.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
+	config, err := fin.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}

tests/write_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+package fin_test
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	fin "git.sharkk.net/Sharkk/Fin"
+)
+
+func TestBasicWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create test data
+	data := fin.NewData()
+	data.GetData()["boolTrue"] = true
+	data.GetData()["boolFalse"] = false
+	data.GetData()["integer"] = 42
+	data.GetData()["negativeInt"] = -10
+	data.GetData()["floatValue"] = 3.14
+	data.GetData()["negativeFloat"] = -2.5
+	data.GetData()["stringValue"] = "hello world"
+
+	// Write to buffer
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := data.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error writing data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read back
+	readData, err := fin.Load(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error loading written data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify values
+	testCases := []struct {
+		key      string
+		expected any
+		getter   func(string) (any, error)
+	}{
+		{"boolTrue", true, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetBool(k) }},
+		{"boolFalse", false, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetBool(k) }},
+		{"integer", 42, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetInt(k) }},
+		{"negativeInt", -10, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetInt(k) }},
+		{"floatValue", 3.14, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetFloat(k) }},
+		{"negativeFloat", -2.5, func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetFloat(k) }},
+		{"stringValue", "hello world", func(k string) (any, error) { return readData.GetString(k) }},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+		got, err := tc.getter(tc.key)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("error getting %s: %v", tc.key, err)
+		} else if got != tc.expected {
+			t.Errorf("expected %s=%v, got %v", tc.key, tc.expected, got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArrayWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create test data with arrays
+	data := fin.NewData()
+	data.GetData()["fruits"] = []any{"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
+	data.GetData()["mixed"] = []any{"string", 42, true, 3.14}
+
+	// Write to buffer
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := data.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error writing data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read back
+	readData, err := fin.Load(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error loading written data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify arrays
+	fruits, err := readData.GetArray("fruits")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get fruits array: %v", err)
+	}
+	expectedFruits := []any{"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(fruits, expectedFruits) {
+		t.Errorf("expected fruits=%v, got %v", expectedFruits, fruits)
+	}
+
+	// Verify mixed array
+	mixed, err := readData.GetArray("mixed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get mixed array: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(mixed) != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 4 items in mixed array, got %d", len(mixed))
+	}
+
+	// Check types in mixed array
+	stringVal, err := readData.GetString("mixed.0")
+	if err != nil || stringVal != "string" {
+		t.Errorf("expected mixed.0=\"string\", got %v, err: %v", stringVal, err)
+	}
+	intVal, err := readData.GetInt("mixed.1")
+	if err != nil || intVal != 42 {
+		t.Errorf("expected mixed.1=42, got %v, err: %v", intVal, err)
+	}
+	boolVal, err := readData.GetBool("mixed.2")
+	if err != nil || boolVal != true {
+		t.Errorf("expected mixed.2=true, got %v, err: %v", boolVal, err)
+	}
+	floatVal, err := readData.GetFloat("mixed.3")
+	if err != nil || floatVal != 3.14 {
+		t.Errorf("expected mixed.3=3.14, got %v, err: %v", floatVal, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMapWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create nested map structure
+	data := fin.NewData()
+
+	serverMap := map[string]any{
+		"host": "localhost",
+		"port": 8080,
+	}
+	data.GetData()["server"] = serverMap
+
+	loggingMap := map[string]any{
+		"level": "info",
+		"file":  "app.log",
+	}
+	settingsMap := map[string]any{
+		"theme":         "dark",
+		"notifications": true,
+		"logging":       loggingMap,
+	}
+	appMap := map[string]any{
+		"name":     "MyApp",
+		"version":  "1.0.0",
+		"settings": settingsMap,
+	}
+	data.GetData()["application"] = appMap
+
+	// Write to buffer
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := data.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error writing data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read back
+	readData, err := fin.Load(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error loading written data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify simple map
+	host, err := readData.GetString("server.host")
+	if err != nil || host != "localhost" {
+		t.Errorf("expected server.host=\"localhost\", got %v, err: %v", host, err)
+	}
+	port, err := readData.GetInt("server.port")
+	if err != nil || port != 8080 {
+		t.Errorf("expected server.port=8080, got %v, err: %v", port, err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify deeply nested maps
+	appName, err := readData.GetString("application.name")
+	if err != nil || appName != "MyApp" {
+		t.Errorf("expected application.name=\"MyApp\", got %v, err: %v", appName, err)
+	}
+	theme, err := readData.GetString("application.settings.theme")
+	if err != nil || theme != "dark" {
+		t.Errorf("expected application.settings.theme=\"dark\", got %v, err: %v", theme, err)
+	}
+	logLevel, err := readData.GetString("application.settings.logging.level")
+	if err != nil || logLevel != "info" {
+		t.Errorf("expected application.settings.logging.level=\"info\", got %v, err: %v", logLevel, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpecialCasesWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test combined value+object case
+	data := fin.NewData()
+
+	combinedMap := map[string]any{
+		"value":    8080,
+		"protocol": "http",
+		"secure":   false,
+	}
+	data.GetData()["port"] = combinedMap
+
+	// Write to buffer
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := data.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error writing data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read back
+	readData, err := fin.Load(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error loading written data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify combined value+object
+	portVal, err := readData.GetInt("port.value")
+	if err != nil || portVal != 8080 {
+		t.Errorf("expected port.value=8080, got %v, err: %v", portVal, err)
+	}
+	protocol, err := readData.GetString("port.protocol")
+	if err != nil || protocol != "http" {
+		t.Errorf("expected port.protocol=\"http\", got %v, err: %v", protocol, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStringEscapingWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	data := fin.NewData()
+
+	// Add strings with special characters
+	data.GetData()["quoted"] = "Text with \"quotes\""
+	data.GetData()["backslash"] = "Path with \\backslash"
+	data.GetData()["newlines"] = "Text with\nnew lines"
+	data.GetData()["tabs"] = "Text with\ttabs"
+
+	// Write to buffer
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := data.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error writing data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read back
+	readData, err := fin.Load(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error loading written data: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify escaped strings
+	quoted, err := readData.GetString("quoted")
+	if err != nil || quoted != "Text with \"quotes\"" {
+		t.Errorf("expected correct handling of quotes, got %v, err: %v", quoted, err)
+	}
+	backslash, err := readData.GetString("backslash")
+	if err != nil || backslash != "Path with \\backslash" {
+		t.Errorf("expected correct handling of backslashes, got %v, err: %v", backslash, err)
+	}
+	newlines, err := readData.GetString("newlines")
+	if err != nil || newlines != "Text with\nnew lines" {
+		t.Errorf("expected correct handling of newlines, got %v, err: %v", newlines, err)
+	}
+	tabs, err := readData.GetString("tabs")
+	if err != nil || tabs != "Text with\ttabs" {
+		t.Errorf("expected correct handling of tabs, got %v, err: %v", tabs, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSaveFunction(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test the standalone Save function
+	data := fin.NewData()
+	data.GetData()["key"] = "value"
+
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err := fin.Save(buf, data)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error using Save function: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify content was written
+	if !strings.Contains(buf.String(), "key \"value\"") {
+		t.Errorf("expected Save function to write data, got: %s", buf.String())
+	}
+}

writer.go

@@ -0,0 +1,304 @@
+package fin
+
+/*
+	writer.go
+	Copyright 2025 Sharkk, sharkk.net
+	Authors: Sky Johnson
+*/
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"strconv"
+)
+
+// Write serializes the data to the provided writer
+func (d *Data) Write(w io.Writer) error {
+	return writeMap(w, d.data, 0)
+}
+
+// Save writes data to a writer (standalone function)
+func Save(w io.Writer, d *Data) error {
+	return d.Write(w)
+}
+
+// writeMap writes a map at the given indent level
+func writeMap(w io.Writer, data map[string]any, level int) error {
+	for key, value := range data {
+		// Write indentation
+		for i := 0; i < level; i++ {
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Write key
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, key); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		// Special case: combined value+object
+		if m, ok := value.(map[string]any); ok && len(m) > 1 {
+			if simpleValue, hasValue := m["value"]; hasValue {
+				// Write simple value first
+				if err := writeSimpleValue(w, simpleValue); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				// Write object portion
+				if _, err := io.WriteString(w, " {\n"); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				for k, v := range m {
+					if k != "value" {
+						for i := 0; i < level+1; i++ {
+							if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+								return err
+							}
+						}
+
+						if _, err := io.WriteString(w, k); err != nil {
+							return err
+						}
+
+						if err := writeValueWithNewline(w, v, level+1); err != nil {
+							return err
+						}
+					}
+				}
+
+				for i := 0; i < level; i++ {
+					if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+				}
+
+				if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "}\n"); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Regular value handling
+		if err := writeValueWithNewline(w, value, level); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// writeValueWithNewline writes a value and adds a newline
+func writeValueWithNewline(w io.Writer, value any, level int) error {
+	if err := writeValue(w, value, level); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\n"); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// writeValue writes a value with appropriate formatting
+func writeValue(w io.Writer, value any, level int) error {
+	// Space after key
+	if _, err := w.Write([]byte{' '}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	switch v := value.(type) {
+	case nil:
+		return nil
+
+	case string:
+		// Quote strings
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\""); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if err := writeEscapedString(w, v); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\""); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return nil
+
+	case int:
+		// Use byte slice pool for better performance
+		buffer := GetByteSlice()
+		*buffer = strconv.AppendInt((*buffer)[:0], int64(v), 10)
+		_, err := w.Write(*buffer)
+		PutByteSlice(buffer)
+		return err
+
+	case float64:
+		buffer := GetByteSlice()
+		*buffer = strconv.AppendFloat((*buffer)[:0], v, 'g', -1, 64)
+		_, err := w.Write(*buffer)
+		PutByteSlice(buffer)
+		return err
+
+	case bool:
+		if v {
+			_, err := io.WriteString(w, "true")
+			return err
+		}
+		_, err := io.WriteString(w, "false")
+		return err
+
+	case map[string]any:
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "{\n"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if err := writeMap(w, v, level+1); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		for i := 0; i < level; i++ {
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "}"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return nil
+
+	case []any:
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "{\n"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if err := writeArray(w, v, level+1); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		for i := 0; i < level; i++ {
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "}"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return nil
+
+	default:
+		// Fall back for any other types
+		buffer := GetByteSlice()
+		*buffer = append((*buffer)[:0], []byte(strconv.FormatInt(int64(v.(int)), 10))...)
+		_, err := w.Write(*buffer)
+		PutByteSlice(buffer)
+		return err
+	}
+}
+
+// writeArray writes array elements
+func writeArray(w io.Writer, array []any, level int) error {
+	for _, item := range array {
+		for i := 0; i < level; i++ {
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte{'\t'}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+
+		if err := writeValue(w, item, level); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\n"); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// writeEscapedString writes a string with escape sequences
+func writeEscapedString(w io.Writer, s string) error {
+	for i := 0; i < len(s); i++ {
+		c := s[i]
+		switch c {
+		case '"':
+			if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\\\""); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case '\\':
+			if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\\\\"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case '\n':
+			if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\\n"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case '\t':
+			if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\\t"); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		default:
+			if _, err := w.Write([]byte{c}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// writeSimpleValue writes a simple value without newline
+func writeSimpleValue(w io.Writer, value any) error {
+	if _, err := w.Write([]byte{' '}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	switch v := value.(type) {
+	case string:
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\""); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if err := writeEscapedString(w, v); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if _, err := io.WriteString(w, "\""); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+	case int:
+		buffer := GetByteSlice()
+		*buffer = strconv.AppendInt((*buffer)[:0], int64(v), 10)
+		_, err := w.Write(*buffer)
+		PutByteSlice(buffer)
+		return err
+
+	case float64:
+		buffer := GetByteSlice()
+		*buffer = strconv.AppendFloat((*buffer)[:0], v, 'g', -1, 64)
+		_, err := w.Write(*buffer)
+		PutByteSlice(buffer)
+		return err
+
+	case bool:
+		if v {
+			_, err := io.WriteString(w, "true")
+			return err
+		}
+		_, err := io.WriteString(w, "false")
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}