[fruit] apple.color = "red" [fruit.apple] # not allowed [fruit.apple.texture] # you can add sub-tables smooth = true # fruit defined and created # fruit.apple defined and created # fruit.apple.color defined and created # fruit.apple REDEFINES fruit.apple so it is not allowed [a.b.c] d.e = true [a.b] c.d.g = false c.d = false # not allowed # wtf # a.b.c is defined and created # a.b is created # a is created # a.b.c.d.e is defined and created # a.b.c.d is created # a.b is defined but not created # so it is allowed # a.b.c.d.g is defined and created # dotted keys define every subpart when the table block they are part of ends [a.b] c = true [a] f.h = true # valid f.g = true # valid because f.g was not defined f = false # invalid because f was created