Understanding Grammar and Parsing in Programming Languages
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This class explores the fundamentals of grammar and parsing, essential for interpreting programming languages and input/output operations. We will cover the basics of syntax—the valid structure of text—and semantics, which provide meaning to those structures. By simplifying complex grammar rules, we aim to make parsing approachable. Through practical examples, including sentence structures and programming inputs, students will learn how to analyze and apply grammars effectively, enhancing their understanding of language processing.
Understanding Grammar and Parsing in Programming Languages
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Presentation Transcript
Grammars • Grammars can get quite complex, but are essential. • Syntax: the form of the text that is valid • Semantics: the meaning of the form • Sometimes semantics are needed to read syntax • But, in this class we will keep things very simple… • Parsing: how to take a grammar and apply it to some input
Grammars • Grammar is important: • For understanding programming languages • Each language has a grammar • For dealing with input/output • Input/output usually obeys some rules • Parsing can vary in complexity • Reading very simple grammars often not even thought of as “parsing” • Our examples in this class get to a “moderate” level of complexity
Parsing • We saw examples of this previously with the calculator, and with some sentences in English. • Parsing is how you go from an input to something the computer can deal with.
Grammar/Parsing Example • Sentence: • Subject Verb Object • Subject Verb • Subject • Noun • Object • Adjective Object • Noun • Are these valid? • I read books • I read long books • I read long red books • Birds fly • Red birds fly • Birds fly fast