For me a configuration file should be easy to write and read while not taking so much care about the data types. So for me you get a shoe if you reverse your a

For me a configuration file should be easy to write and read while not taking so much care about the data types. So for me you get a shoe if you reverse your argument. Type limitations aren't improving write or readability IMO and just make it harder, because you have to think about using the right type. Application specific schema checkers should take care of the checking the type.