From 4dc736c1582be9c4accfc9af7f6b1287bbb54917 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:46:32 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 1/6] add mac compatibility, fix a couple bugs

---
 .github/workflows/test.yml                    |   5 +-
 flex_ini.sh                                   | 111 ++----------------
 .../test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh |  51 ++++++++
 3 files changed, 67 insertions(+), 100 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 21d4f54..ca56548 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ on:
       - main
 jobs:
   Test:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest]
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
diff --git a/flex_ini.sh b/flex_ini.sh
index 80f8294..90b88bd 100644
--- a/flex_ini.sh
+++ b/flex_ini.sh
@@ -3,32 +3,26 @@
 # You may change these here or overwrite them
 # within your scripts, whatever works best for
 # your use case.
-
 auto_create_ini_on_load=true
 auto_save_on_changes=false
 back_up_changes_on_save=true
 back_up_changes_on_save_as=false
 reassign_file_permissions_when_possible=false
 tmp_directory="/tmp"
-
 declare -gA ini_associations
 declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
 declare -gA ini_loaded
-
 # Private Functions
 # --
 # It's best to not call/modify these directly from your codebase
 # unless you know what you're doing!
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_error
 # --
 # Helper method to write consistent error logs
 private_flex_ini_error() {
   local msg="$1"
-
   echo "[ FlexIni Error ] $msg"
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_mark_as_changed
 # --
 # Marks an ini array as changed.
@@ -36,7 +30,6 @@ private_flex_ini_mark_as_changed() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   ini_unsaved_changes["$ini_identifier"]=true
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_mark_as_unchanged
 # --
 # Marks an ini array as unchanged.
@@ -44,7 +37,6 @@ private_flex_ini_mark_as_unchanged() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   ini_unsaved_changes["$ini_identifier"]=false
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_required
 # --
 # Helper function to identify required variables and return 1
@@ -52,26 +44,22 @@ private_flex_ini_mark_as_unchanged() {
 private_flex_ini_required() {
   local k="$1"
   local v="$2"
-
   if [ -z "$v" ]; then
     private_flex_ini_error "value $k is required but was not provided"
     return 1
   fi
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_require_loaded
 # --
 # Function which returns 1 if the ini id has not
 # yet beenloaded.
 private_flex_ini_require_loaded() {
   local ini_identifier="$1"
-
   if ! private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded "$ini_identifier"; then
     private_flex_ini_error "the ini id $ini_identifier has not-yet been loaded"
     return 1
   fi
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_mark_as_loaded
 # --
 # Marks an ini array as already loaded.
@@ -79,14 +67,12 @@ private_flex_ini_mark_as_loaded() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   ini_loaded["$ini_identifier"]=true
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded
 # --
 # Returns 0 if the array has already been loaded,
 # returns 1 if it has not.
 private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
-
   local loaded="${ini_loaded[$ini_identifier]}"
   
   if [ "$loaded" == "true" ]; then
@@ -95,7 +81,6 @@ private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded() {
     return 1
   fi
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_format_id
 # --
 # Format the supplied ini id to make sure it's
@@ -103,37 +88,29 @@ private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded() {
 private_flex_ini_format_id() {
   local default_ini_array_name="default"
   local ini_identifier="${1:-$default_ini_array_name}"
-
   local formatted="${ini_identifier// /_}"
   echo "$formatted" | tr - _
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_get_array_name
 # --
 # Get the name of the array based on the ini id.
 private_flex_ini_get_array_name() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   local ini_name="${ini_identifier}_ini"
-
   echo "$ini_name"
 }
-
 # @private private_get_ini_file_path
 # --
 # Get the file path for a specific ini id.
 private_get_ini_file_path() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
-
   local FILE_PATH="${ini_associations[$ini_identifier]}"
-
   if [ -z "$FILE_PATH" ]; then
     log error "Error, no file associated with the ini id ${ini_identifier}"
     return 1
   fi
-
   echo "${FILE_PATH}"
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_init
 # --
 # Initialize an ini file and load it into its array. This
@@ -142,14 +119,10 @@ private_get_ini_file_path() {
 private_flex_ini_init() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
-
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-
   declare -gA "$ini"
-
   ini_associations["$ini_identifier"]="$ini_file"
 }
-
 # @private private_flex_ini_create
 # --
 # Create an ini file at the specified path.
@@ -157,15 +130,12 @@ private_flex_ini_create() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   
   private_flex_ini_required "ini_file" "$ini_file" || return 1
-
   touch "$ini_file" || return 1
 }
-
 # Public Functions
 # --
 # These functions are the ones you want to call from your scripts
 # since they are meant to work together and validate various items.
-
 # @public flex_ini_load
 # --
 # You'll need to call this method first in order to load up your
@@ -174,37 +144,31 @@ flex_ini_load() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local force_reload="${3:-false}"
-
   if [ "$force_reload" != "true" ] && private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded "$ini_identifier"; then
     return 0
   fi
-
   if [ "$force_reload" == "true" ] && private_flex_ini_has_been_loaded "$ini_identifier"; then
     flex_ini_clear "$ini_identifier"
   fi
-
   if [ ! -f "$ini_file" ]; then
     if [ "$auto_create_ini_on_load" == "true" ]; then
       if ! private_flex_ini_create "$ini_file"; then
-        flex_ini_error "ini file could not be auto-created at ${ini_file}"
+        private_flex_ini_error "ini file could not be auto-created at ${ini_file}"
         return 1  
       fi
     else  
-      flex_ini_error "ini file not found at ${ini_file} and auto_create_ini_on_load was not 'true' so we did not try to create it"
+      private_flex_ini_error "ini file not found at ${ini_file} and auto_create_ini_on_load was not 'true' so we did not try to create it"
       return 1
     fi
   fi
-
   private_flex_ini_init "$ini_file" "$ini_identifier"
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-
   local section=""
   local key=""
   local value=""
   local section_regex="^\[(.+)\]"
   local key_regex="^([^ =]+) *= *(.*) *$"
   local comment_regex="^;"
-
   while IFS= read -r line; do
     if [[ $line =~ $comment_regex ]]; then
       continue
@@ -218,11 +182,9 @@ flex_ini_load() {
       eval "$name_var"
     fi
   done <"$ini_file"
-
   private_flex_ini_mark_as_unchanged "$ini_identifier"
   private_flex_ini_mark_as_loaded "$ini_identifier"
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_reload
 # --
 # Reload an already-loaded ini ID. Please note, if you have not, in
@@ -230,16 +192,13 @@ flex_ini_load() {
 flex_ini_reload() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   local destination_ini_path=$(private_get_ini_file_path "$ini_identifier")
-
   if [ -z "$destination_ini_path" ]; then
     echo "[ Flex INI Error ] No INI filepath could be found from which to reload. Are you sure you loaded the config file for ${ini_identifier}?"
+    return 1
   fi
-
   flex_ini_clear "$ini_identifier"
-
   flex_ini_load "$destination_ini_path" "$ini_identifier"
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_clear
 # -- 
 # Clears an ini ID completely from our loaded configs. You
@@ -247,16 +206,12 @@ flex_ini_reload() {
 # during debugging.
 flex_ini_clear() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
-
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   unset ini_unsaved_changes["$ini_identifier"]
   unset ini_loaded["$ini_identifier"]
-
   local current_array_name=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
   unset "$current_array_name"
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_get
 # --
 # Fetches a value from the specified ini array.
@@ -264,27 +219,21 @@ flex_ini_get() {
   local key="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local array_name=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-
   private_flex_ini_required "key" "$key" || return 1
-
   local name_var='${'$array_name'['$key']}'
   local value=$(eval echo "$name_var")
   echo "$value"
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_has
 # --
 # Returns 0 if the key exists, 1 if it does not.
 flex_ini_has() {
   local key="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
-
   private_flex_ini_required "key" "$key" || return 1
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   [[ $(flex_ini_get "$key" "$ini_identifier") ]]
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_update
 # --
 # This creates or updates a value in your ini array.
@@ -295,21 +244,17 @@ flex_ini_update() {
   local value="$2"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$3")
   local array_name=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-
   private_flex_ini_required "key" "$key" || return 1
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   local assign_var=$array_name'["'$key'"]="'"${value}"'"'
   eval "$assign_var" ||
     return 1
-
   if [ "$auto_save_on_changes" == "true" ]; then
     flex_ini_save "$ini_identifier"
   else
     private_flex_ini_mark_as_changed "$ini_identifier"
   fi
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_delete
 # --
 # Remove a value from your ini array.
@@ -318,21 +263,17 @@ flex_ini_update() {
 flex_ini_delete() {
   local key="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
-
   private_flex_ini_required "key" "$key" || return 1
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   local array_name=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
   local assign_var='unset '$array_name'["'$key'"]'
   eval "$assign_var"
-
-   if [ "$auto_save_on_changes" == "true" ]; then
+  if [ "$auto_save_on_changes" == "true" ]; then
     flex_ini_save "$ini_identifier"
   else
     private_flex_ini_mark_as_changed "$ini_identifier"
   fi
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_save
 # --
 # Save the values in the array back to the correct file.
@@ -342,9 +283,7 @@ flex_ini_save() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   local override_path="$2"
   local default_destination_ini_path=$(private_get_ini_file_path "$ini_identifier")
-
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   # The save-as logic path first
   if [ -n "$override_path" ]; then
     # pre-create the file if it doesn't exist just to make sure we
@@ -355,7 +294,6 @@ flex_ini_save() {
         return 1
       fi
     fi
-
     # set the destination ini path to whichever new path was specified
     local destination_ini_path="$override_path"
     # use the val from 'save as' to determine whether to back up
@@ -368,33 +306,32 @@ flex_ini_save() {
     local should_back_up_before_save="${back_up_changes_on_save}"
     local is_save_as_operation=false
   fi
-
   # If param is true, then fetch the user/group from the current ini
   # file and attempt to re-assign ownership when file is saved if
   # the current user is different from the owner of the file
   if [ "$reassign_file_permissions_when_possible" == "true" ]; then
-    local file_owner=$(stat --format '%U' "${destination_ini_path}")
-    local file_group=$(stat --format '%G' "${destination_ini_path}")
+    if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+      local file_owner=$(stat -f '%Su' "${destination_ini_path}")
+      local file_group=$(stat -f '%Sg' "${destination_ini_path}")
+    else
+      local file_owner=$(stat --format '%U' "${destination_ini_path}")
+      local file_group=$(stat --format '%G' "${destination_ini_path}")
+    fi
     local current_user=$(echo "$USER")
     if [ "$file_owner" != "$current_user" ]; then
       local should_reassign_file_permissions=true
     fi
   fi
-
   local current_section=""
   local has_free_keys=false
-
   local ini_file=$(mktemp "${tmp_directory}/flexini.XXXXXX")
-
   for key in $(flex_ini_keys "$ini_identifier"); do
     [[ $key == *.* ]] && continue
     has_free_keys=true
     local value=$(flex_ini_get "$key" "$ini_identifier")
     echo "$key = $value" >>"$ini_file"
   done
-
   [[ "${has_free_keys}" == "true" ]] && echo >>"$ini_file"
-
   # Collect all section names and sort them
   declare -A sections
   for key in $(flex_ini_keys "$ini_identifier"); do
@@ -402,7 +339,6 @@ flex_ini_save() {
     IFS="." read -r section_name key_name <<<"$key"
     sections["$section_name"]=1
   done
-
   # Process sections in alphabetical order
   for section_name in $(printf '%s\n' "${!sections[@]}" | sort); do
     # Check if this is a new section
@@ -411,7 +347,6 @@ flex_ini_save() {
       echo "[$section_name]" >>"$ini_file"
       current_section="$section_name"
     fi
-
     # Collect and sort keys for this section only
     section_keys=()  # Clear the array first
     for key in $(flex_ini_keys "$ini_identifier"); do
@@ -421,7 +356,6 @@ flex_ini_save() {
         section_keys+=("$key")
       fi
     done
-
     # Sort keys within this section and write them
     for key in $(printf '%s\n' "${section_keys[@]}" | sort); do
       IFS="." read -r key_section key_name <<<"$key"
@@ -429,44 +363,36 @@ flex_ini_save() {
       echo "$key_name = $value" >>"$ini_file"
     done
   done
-
   # Back up the destination ini file if specified
   if [ "$should_back_up_before_save" == "true" ]; then
     cp -f "$destination_ini_path" "${destination_ini_path}.bak" ||
       private_flex_ini_error "could not make the backup copy of the ini file at ${destination_ini_path}"
   fi
-
   # Replace the destination ini file with the tmp file
   if ! mv -f "$ini_file" "$destination_ini_path"; then
     private_flex_ini_error "could not move tmp ini file to its destination at ${destination_ini_path} -- data was not saved to disk"
     return 1
   fi
-
   # Try to update the permissions of the file, if set
   if [ "$should_reassign_file_permissions" == "true" ]; then
     chown "${file_owner}":"${file_group}" "${destination_ini_path}" ||
       private_flex_ini_error "our attempt to reassign file permissions to '${file_owner}:${file_group} failed for file at ${destination_ini_path}"
   fi
-
   # Only mark the ini as unchanged if we saved it to
   # the original file.
   if [ "$is_save_as_operation" != "true" ]; then
     private_flex_ini_mark_as_unchanged "$ini_identifier"
   fi
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_save_as
 # --
 # A helper function to initiate a save-as.
 flex_ini_save_as() {
   local override_path="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
-
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   flex_ini_save "$ini_identifier" "$override_path" || return 1
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_has_unsaved
 # --
 # Returns 0 if the array has unsaved changes,
@@ -475,16 +401,13 @@ flex_ini_has_unsaved() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   local has_unsaved="${ini_unsaved_changes["$ini_identifier"]}"
-
   if [ "$has_unsaved" == "true" ]; then
     return 0
   else
     return 1
   fi
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_reset
 # --
 # Removes all data from the stores. Be careful with this one!
@@ -494,36 +417,28 @@ flex_ini_reset() {
     unset "$array_name"
     unset ini_associations["$i"]
   done
-
   for i in "${!ini_unsaved_changes[@]}"; do
     unset ini_unsaved_changes["$i"]
   done
-
   for i in "${!ini_loaded[@]}"; do
     unset ini_loaded["$i"]
   done
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_show
 # --
 # Show all loaded key-value pairs (whether or not they've been saved).
 flex_ini_show() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   local file_path=$(private_get_ini_file_path "$ini_identifier")
-
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   echo "[ ${ini_identifier} ]"
   echo "--"
-
   for key in $(flex_ini_keys "$ini_identifier"); do
     local value=$(flex_ini_get "$key" "$ini_identifier")
     echo "$key = $value"
   done
-
   echo ""
 }
-
 # @public flex_ini_keys
 # --
 # Get an array of all keys in your ini array (whether or not they)
@@ -531,10 +446,8 @@ flex_ini_show() {
 flex_ini_keys() {
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$1")
   local array_name=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-
   private_flex_ini_require_loaded "$ini_identifier" || return 1
-
   local name_var='${!'$array_name'[@]}'
   local keys=($(eval echo "$name_var"))
   for a in "${keys[@]}"; do echo "$a"; done | sort
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aec89dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility() {
+    local ini_one=$(create_ini)
+
+    flex_ini_load "$ini_one"
+    flex_ini_update "test_key" "test_value"
+    
+    # Test that save works on both macOS and Linux
+    # This specifically tests the stat command compatibility
+    # The code should detect the OS and use appropriate stat flags
+    flex_ini_save
+    
+    # Verify the file was saved correctly
+    expect "$(flex_ini_get "test_key")" "test_value"
+    
+    # Test save_as functionality as well
+    local save_as_loc="${test_storage_dir}/macos_test_$$"
+    flex_ini_save_as "$save_as_loc"
+    
+    # Verify the save_as file exists and has correct content
+    if [ ! -f "$save_as_loc" ]; then
+        fail "Save as file was not created"
+    fi
+    
+    # Load the save_as file and verify content
+    flex_ini_load "$save_as_loc" "macos_test"
+    expect "$(flex_ini_get "test_key" "macos_test")" "test_value"
+    
+    # Test the specific stat commands used in the code
+    local test_file="${test_storage_dir}/stat_test_$$"
+    touch "$test_file"
+    
+    if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+        # Test macOS stat commands
+        local owner=$(stat -f '%Su' "$test_file")
+        local group=$(stat -f '%Sg' "$test_file")
+        echo "macOS stat: owner=$owner, group=$group"
+        [[ -n "$owner" ]] || fail "macOS stat owner command failed"
+        [[ -n "$group" ]] || fail "macOS stat group command failed"
+    else
+        # Test Linux stat commands
+        local owner=$(stat --format '%U' "$test_file")
+        local group=$(stat --format '%G' "$test_file")
+        echo "Linux stat: owner=$owner, group=$group"
+        [[ -n "$owner" ]] || fail "Linux stat owner command failed"
+        [[ -n "$group" ]] || fail "Linux stat group command failed"
+    fi
+    
+    # Clean up
+    flex_ini_reset
+    rm -f "$save_as_loc" "$test_file"
+}

From 2a91c164d8929c3c90873d24cfe1df0067966266 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:51:25 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 2/6] fix github actions compatibility

- Add conditional -g flag support for declare (bash 4.2+ compatibility)
- Fix test runner filename parsing bug
- Fix test_flex_ini_keys array capturing issue
---
 flex_ini.sh                     | 20 ++++++++++++++++----
 tests/_run.sh                   |  4 ++--
 tests/src/test_flex_ini_keys.sh |  3 ++-
 3 files changed, 20 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/flex_ini.sh b/flex_ini.sh
index 90b88bd..24be13f 100644
--- a/flex_ini.sh
+++ b/flex_ini.sh
@@ -9,9 +9,16 @@ back_up_changes_on_save=true
 back_up_changes_on_save_as=false
 reassign_file_permissions_when_possible=false
 tmp_directory="/tmp"
-declare -gA ini_associations
-declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
-declare -gA ini_loaded
+# Check if declare supports -g flag (bash 4.2+)
+if declare -g test 2>/dev/null; then
+    declare -gA ini_associations
+    declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
+    declare -gA ini_loaded
+else
+    declare -A ini_associations
+    declare -A ini_unsaved_changes
+    declare -A ini_loaded
+fi
 # Private Functions
 # --
 # It's best to not call/modify these directly from your codebase
@@ -120,7 +127,12 @@ private_flex_ini_init() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-  declare -gA "$ini"
+  # Check if declare supports -g flag (bash 4.2+)
+  if declare -g test 2>/dev/null; then
+    declare -gA "$ini"
+  else
+    declare -A "$ini"
+  fi
   ini_associations["$ini_identifier"]="$ini_file"
 }
 # @private private_flex_ini_create
diff --git a/tests/_run.sh b/tests/_run.sh
index 4972ad6..bba4113 100755
--- a/tests/_run.sh
+++ b/tests/_run.sh
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ echo ""
 
 test_suites=()
 cd $test_parent_dir/src
-for f in *; do
-    fn_name="${f/.sh/''}"
+for f in *.sh; do
+    fn_name="${f%.sh}"
     test_suites+=("$fn_name")
 done
 cd ../..
diff --git a/tests/src/test_flex_ini_keys.sh b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_keys.sh
index 10dcc12..f36bb41 100644
--- a/tests/src/test_flex_ini_keys.sh
+++ b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_keys.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ test_flex_ini_keys() {
     flex_ini_update "testing" "two"
     flex_ini_update "tested" "three"
 
-    local res=($(flex_ini_keys))
+    local res
+    readarray -t res < <(flex_ini_keys)
     expect "${#res[@]}" 3
 
     expect_array_contains "test" "${res[@]}"

From afb0f9656db7bc2dd8d5223701cd879ff674965f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:54:05 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 3/6] fix github actions shell issue

- Explicitly use bash shell in GitHub Actions workflow
- Revert to original declare -gA syntax that was working before
---
 .github/workflows/test.yml |  3 ++-
 flex_ini.sh                | 20 ++++----------------
 2 files changed, 6 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index ca56548..cbc0fc2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -16,5 +16,6 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - run: ./tests/_run.sh
+      - run: bash ./tests/_run.sh
+        shell: bash
       - run: echo "🍏 This job's status is ${{ job.status }}."
diff --git a/flex_ini.sh b/flex_ini.sh
index 24be13f..90b88bd 100644
--- a/flex_ini.sh
+++ b/flex_ini.sh
@@ -9,16 +9,9 @@ back_up_changes_on_save=true
 back_up_changes_on_save_as=false
 reassign_file_permissions_when_possible=false
 tmp_directory="/tmp"
-# Check if declare supports -g flag (bash 4.2+)
-if declare -g test 2>/dev/null; then
-    declare -gA ini_associations
-    declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
-    declare -gA ini_loaded
-else
-    declare -A ini_associations
-    declare -A ini_unsaved_changes
-    declare -A ini_loaded
-fi
+declare -gA ini_associations
+declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
+declare -gA ini_loaded
 # Private Functions
 # --
 # It's best to not call/modify these directly from your codebase
@@ -127,12 +120,7 @@ private_flex_ini_init() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-  # Check if declare supports -g flag (bash 4.2+)
-  if declare -g test 2>/dev/null; then
-    declare -gA "$ini"
-  else
-    declare -A "$ini"
-  fi
+  declare -gA "$ini"
   ini_associations["$ini_identifier"]="$ini_file"
 }
 # @private private_flex_ini_create

From 1ed91e60a033f13d15d93ceae0f9c3984c4f7a9b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:57:19 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 4/6] add OS detection at top of file

- Add _OS variable to detect macOS/Linux/unknown at startup
- Use OS detection for stat command selection instead of inline uname checks
- Update compatibility test to use OS detection
- Support for future OS-specific features
---
 flex_ini.sh                                   | 48 ++++++++++++++++---
 .../test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh |  6 ++-
 2 files changed, 46 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/flex_ini.sh b/flex_ini.sh
index 90b88bd..e86a1f0 100644
--- a/flex_ini.sh
+++ b/flex_ini.sh
@@ -9,9 +9,38 @@ back_up_changes_on_save=true
 back_up_changes_on_save_as=false
 reassign_file_permissions_when_possible=false
 tmp_directory="/tmp"
-declare -gA ini_associations
-declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
-declare -gA ini_loaded
+# Detect the operating system
+if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+    _OS="macos"
+elif [[ "$(uname)" == "Linux" ]]; then
+    _OS="linux"
+else
+    _OS="unknown"
+fi
+
+# Check bash version and use appropriate declare syntax
+_BASH_VERSION=$(bash --version | head -1 | grep -oE '[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
+if [[ "${_BASH_VERSION%%.*}" -ge 4 ]]; then
+    # Bash 4.0+ supports associative arrays
+    if declare -g _test 2>/dev/null; then
+        # Bash 4.2+ supports -g flag
+        declare -gA ini_associations
+        declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
+        declare -gA ini_loaded
+        _SUPPORTS_G_FLAG=true
+    else
+        # Bash 4.0-4.1 doesn't support -g flag
+        declare -A ini_associations
+        declare -A ini_unsaved_changes
+        declare -A ini_loaded
+        _SUPPORTS_G_FLAG=false
+    fi
+else
+    # Bash 3.x doesn't support associative arrays at all
+    echo "Error: FlexIni requires bash 4.0 or higher for associative arrays"
+    echo "Current bash version: $_BASH_VERSION"
+    exit 1
+fi
 # Private Functions
 # --
 # It's best to not call/modify these directly from your codebase
@@ -120,7 +149,12 @@ private_flex_ini_init() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-  declare -gA "$ini"
+  # Use appropriate declare syntax based on bash version
+  if [ "$_SUPPORTS_G_FLAG" = "true" ]; then
+    declare -gA "$ini"
+  else
+    declare -A "$ini"
+  fi
   ini_associations["$ini_identifier"]="$ini_file"
 }
 # @private private_flex_ini_create
@@ -310,12 +344,14 @@ flex_ini_save() {
   # file and attempt to re-assign ownership when file is saved if
   # the current user is different from the owner of the file
   if [ "$reassign_file_permissions_when_possible" == "true" ]; then
-    if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+    if [ "$_OS" == "macos" ]; then
       local file_owner=$(stat -f '%Su' "${destination_ini_path}")
       local file_group=$(stat -f '%Sg' "${destination_ini_path}")
-    else
+    elif [ "$_OS" == "linux" ]; then
       local file_owner=$(stat --format '%U' "${destination_ini_path}")
       local file_group=$(stat --format '%G' "${destination_ini_path}")
+    else
+      echo "[ FlexIni Warning ] File permission reassignment not supported on $_OS"
     fi
     local current_user=$(echo "$USER")
     if [ "$file_owner" != "$current_user" ]; then
diff --git a/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh
index aec89dc..01b400a 100644
--- a/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh
+++ b/tests/src/test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility.sh
@@ -29,20 +29,22 @@ test_flex_ini_save_macos_compatibility() {
     local test_file="${test_storage_dir}/stat_test_$$"
     touch "$test_file"
     
-    if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+    if [ "$_OS" == "macos" ]; then
         # Test macOS stat commands
         local owner=$(stat -f '%Su' "$test_file")
         local group=$(stat -f '%Sg' "$test_file")
         echo "macOS stat: owner=$owner, group=$group"
         [[ -n "$owner" ]] || fail "macOS stat owner command failed"
         [[ -n "$group" ]] || fail "macOS stat group command failed"
-    else
+    elif [ "$_OS" == "linux" ]; then
         # Test Linux stat commands
         local owner=$(stat --format '%U' "$test_file")
         local group=$(stat --format '%G' "$test_file")
         echo "Linux stat: owner=$owner, group=$group"
         [[ -n "$owner" ]] || fail "Linux stat owner command failed"
         [[ -n "$group" ]] || fail "Linux stat group command failed"
+    else
+        echo "Unknown OS: $_OS - skipping stat command tests"
     fi
     
     # Clean up

From f067b853915bb48cab76785926b64387cdc19ba4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 5/6] add bash version check for GitHub Actions

- Add script to check bash version and declare support
- Temporarily add to workflow to diagnose macOS bash issues
---
 .github/workflows/test.yml |  2 ++
 check_bash_version.sh      | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 34 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 check_bash_version.sh

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index cbc0fc2..f230429 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Check bash version
+        run: bash check_bash_version.sh
       - run: bash ./tests/_run.sh
         shell: bash
       - run: echo "🍏 This job's status is ${{ job.status }}."
diff --git a/check_bash_version.sh b/check_bash_version.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b82577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/check_bash_version.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+echo "=== Bash Version Check ==="
+echo "BASH_VERSION: $BASH_VERSION"
+echo "Shell: $0"
+echo "uname: $(uname)"
+echo "bash --version:"
+bash --version | head -3
+echo ""
+echo "=== Testing declare flags ==="
+echo "Testing declare -g:"
+if declare -g test_var 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "✓ declare -g works"
+    unset test_var
+else
+    echo "✗ declare -g not supported"
+fi
+
+echo "Testing declare -A:"
+if declare -A test_array 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "✓ declare -A works"
+    unset test_array
+else
+    echo "✗ declare -A not supported"
+fi
+
+echo "Testing declare -gA:"
+if declare -gA test_garray 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "✓ declare -gA works"
+    unset test_garray
+else
+    echo "✗ declare -gA not supported"
+fi

From 84f49a3535b3744eeedd057acd8602552adfabe4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Blum <matt@nationalmachine.co>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:02:44 -0600
Subject: [PATCH 6/6] require bash 4.0+ with clear error message

- Add bash version check using BASH_VERSINFO
- Provide helpful error message with brew install instructions for macOS
- Install newer bash via brew in GitHub Actions for macOS
- Simplify code by removing conditional declare logic
---
 .github/workflows/test.yml | 14 ++++++++++----
 check_bash_version.sh      | 32 --------------------------------
 flex_ini.sh                | 35 +++++++++--------------------------
 3 files changed, 19 insertions(+), 62 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 check_bash_version.sh

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index f230429..d9c2ad3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -16,8 +16,14 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Check bash version
-        run: bash check_bash_version.sh
-      - run: bash ./tests/_run.sh
-        shell: bash
+      - name: Install newer bash on macOS
+        if: matrix.os == 'macos-latest'
+        run: brew install bash
+      - name: Run tests
+        run: |
+          if [[ "$(uname)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+            /opt/homebrew/bin/bash ./tests/_run.sh
+          else
+            bash ./tests/_run.sh
+          fi
       - run: echo "🍏 This job's status is ${{ job.status }}."
diff --git a/check_bash_version.sh b/check_bash_version.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 1b82577..0000000
--- a/check_bash_version.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-echo "=== Bash Version Check ==="
-echo "BASH_VERSION: $BASH_VERSION"
-echo "Shell: $0"
-echo "uname: $(uname)"
-echo "bash --version:"
-bash --version | head -3
-echo ""
-echo "=== Testing declare flags ==="
-echo "Testing declare -g:"
-if declare -g test_var 2>/dev/null; then
-    echo "✓ declare -g works"
-    unset test_var
-else
-    echo "✗ declare -g not supported"
-fi
-
-echo "Testing declare -A:"
-if declare -A test_array 2>/dev/null; then
-    echo "✓ declare -A works"
-    unset test_array
-else
-    echo "✗ declare -A not supported"
-fi
-
-echo "Testing declare -gA:"
-if declare -gA test_garray 2>/dev/null; then
-    echo "✓ declare -gA works"
-    unset test_garray
-else
-    echo "✗ declare -gA not supported"
-fi
diff --git a/flex_ini.sh b/flex_ini.sh
index e86a1f0..8142e89 100644
--- a/flex_ini.sh
+++ b/flex_ini.sh
@@ -18,29 +18,17 @@ else
     _OS="unknown"
 fi
 
-# Check bash version and use appropriate declare syntax
-_BASH_VERSION=$(bash --version | head -1 | grep -oE '[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
-if [[ "${_BASH_VERSION%%.*}" -ge 4 ]]; then
-    # Bash 4.0+ supports associative arrays
-    if declare -g _test 2>/dev/null; then
-        # Bash 4.2+ supports -g flag
-        declare -gA ini_associations
-        declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
-        declare -gA ini_loaded
-        _SUPPORTS_G_FLAG=true
-    else
-        # Bash 4.0-4.1 doesn't support -g flag
-        declare -A ini_associations
-        declare -A ini_unsaved_changes
-        declare -A ini_loaded
-        _SUPPORTS_G_FLAG=false
-    fi
-else
-    # Bash 3.x doesn't support associative arrays at all
+# Require bash 4.0+ for associative arrays
+if [[ "${BASH_VERSINFO[0]}" -lt 4 ]]; then
     echo "Error: FlexIni requires bash 4.0 or higher for associative arrays"
-    echo "Current bash version: $_BASH_VERSION"
+    echo "Current bash version: ${BASH_VERSION}"
+    echo "On macOS, install newer bash with: brew install bash"
     exit 1
 fi
+
+declare -gA ini_associations
+declare -gA ini_unsaved_changes
+declare -gA ini_loaded
 # Private Functions
 # --
 # It's best to not call/modify these directly from your codebase
@@ -149,12 +137,7 @@ private_flex_ini_init() {
   local ini_file="$1"
   local ini_identifier=$(private_flex_ini_format_id "$2")
   local ini=$(private_flex_ini_get_array_name "$ini_identifier")
-  # Use appropriate declare syntax based on bash version
-  if [ "$_SUPPORTS_G_FLAG" = "true" ]; then
-    declare -gA "$ini"
-  else
-    declare -A "$ini"
-  fi
+  declare -gA "$ini"
   ini_associations["$ini_identifier"]="$ini_file"
 }
 # @private private_flex_ini_create