iKv/README.md

iKv

Standalone iKv C library.

Layout:

• include/ikv.h: public API only.
• src/ikv.c: shared implementation and loader dispatch.
• src/loaders/ikv1.c: iKv1 loader.
• src/loaders/ikv2.c: iKv2 loader.
• src/internal/ikv_internal.h: private node layout and loader interface.

Behavior:

• The generic parse APIs auto-detect iKv1 vs iKv2 and choose the correct loader.
• The generic write APIs emit the current format version, which is iKv2.
• Public callers do not depend on loader-specific headers or internal structs.
• iKv2 binary files now use an indexed root layout with a key table and payload offsets.
• Parsing an iKv2 binary file reads the root index first and loads individual top-level values on demand.
• iKv1 binary files still use the legacy full-tree format for compatibility.

Adding a new version:

1. Add src/loaders/ikv3.h and src/loaders/ikv3.c exporting an ikv_loader_t.
2. Implement that loader using the shared internal helpers or custom logic.
3. Register the loader in src/ikv.c.
4. Add the new version constant to include/ikv.h if it is part of the public API.