↑Syntax typing refers to the use of syntax to designate data types. In languages that allow syntax typing, type declaration will be syntax-based – e.g. true will be a boolean while "true" will be a string – whereas in languages that do not allow syntax typing it will be semantics-based – e.g. true and "true" will be both recognizable as booleans, while microwave and "microwave" will be both recognizable as strings (this will require the parser to have some prior expectations about the type of a particular field, but this is often the case in configuration files).
↑Opinions on whether syntax typing in configuration formats is a good or a bad feature vary among authors. with some considering it a disadvantage (see for example What is wrong with TOML § Syntax typing) and others favoring it.
