@copying
-This manual is for @acronym{GNU} Bison (version @value{VERSION},
-@value{UPDATED}), the @acronym{GNU} parser generator.
+This manual (@value{UPDATED}) is for GNU Bison (version
+@value{VERSION}), the GNU parser generator.
-Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998,
-1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+Copyright @copyright{} 1988-1993, 1995, 1998-2011 Free Software
+Foundation, Inc.
@quotation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
-under the terms of the @acronym{GNU} Free Documentation License,
-Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software
+under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
+Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software
Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts
-being ``A @acronym{GNU} Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover Texts as in
+being ``A GNU Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover Texts as in
(a) below. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
-``@acronym{GNU} Free Documentation License.''
+``GNU Free Documentation License.''
-(a) The @acronym{FSF}'s Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy
-and modify this @acronym{GNU} Manual, like @acronym{GNU} software.
-Copies published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for
-@acronym{GNU} development.''
+(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
+modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF
+supports it in developing GNU and promoting software
+freedom.''
@end quotation
@end copying
@dircategory Software development
@direntry
-* bison: (bison). @acronym{GNU} parser generator (Yacc replacement).
+* bison: (bison). GNU parser generator (Yacc replacement).
@end direntry
@titlepage
51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor @*
Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA @*
Printed copies are available from the Free Software Foundation.@*
-@acronym{ISBN} 1-882114-44-2
+ISBN 1-882114-44-2
@sp 2
Cover art by Etienne Suvasa.
@end titlepage
@menu
* Introduction::
* Conditions::
-* Copying:: The @acronym{GNU} General Public License says
- how you can copy and share Bison
+* Copying:: The GNU General Public License says
+ how you can copy and share Bison.
Tutorial sections:
-* Concepts:: Basic concepts for understanding Bison.
-* Examples:: Three simple explained examples of using Bison.
+* Concepts:: Basic concepts for understanding Bison.
+* Examples:: Three simple explained examples of using Bison.
Reference sections:
-* Grammar File:: Writing Bison declarations and rules.
-* Interface:: C-language interface to the parser function @code{yyparse}.
-* Algorithm:: How the Bison parser works at run-time.
-* Error Recovery:: Writing rules for error recovery.
+* Grammar File:: Writing Bison declarations and rules.
+* Interface:: C-language interface to the parser function @code{yyparse}.
+* Algorithm:: How the Bison parser works at run-time.
+* Error Recovery:: Writing rules for error recovery.
* Context Dependency:: What to do if your language syntax is too
- messy for Bison to handle straightforwardly.
-* Debugging:: Understanding or debugging Bison parsers.
-* Invocation:: How to run Bison (to produce the parser source file).
-* C++ Language Interface:: Creating C++ parser objects.
-* FAQ:: Frequently Asked Questions
-* Table of Symbols:: All the keywords of the Bison language are explained.
-* Glossary:: Basic concepts are explained.
-* Copying This Manual:: License for copying this manual.
-* Index:: Cross-references to the text.
+ messy for Bison to handle straightforwardly.
+* Debugging:: Understanding or debugging Bison parsers.
+* Invocation:: How to run Bison (to produce the parser implementation).
+* Other Languages:: Creating C++ and Java parsers.
+* FAQ:: Frequently Asked Questions
+* Table of Symbols:: All the keywords of the Bison language are explained.
+* Glossary:: Basic concepts are explained.
+* Copying This Manual:: License for copying this manual.
+* Index:: Cross-references to the text.
@detailmenu
--- The Detailed Node Listing ---
The Concepts of Bison
-* Language and Grammar:: Languages and context-free grammars,
- as mathematical ideas.
-* Grammar in Bison:: How we represent grammars for Bison's sake.
-* Semantic Values:: Each token or syntactic grouping can have
- a semantic value (the value of an integer,
- the name of an identifier, etc.).
-* Semantic Actions:: Each rule can have an action containing C code.
-* GLR Parsers:: Writing parsers for general context-free languages.
-* Locations Overview:: Tracking Locations.
-* Bison Parser:: What are Bison's input and output,
- how is the output used?
-* Stages:: Stages in writing and running Bison grammars.
-* Grammar Layout:: Overall structure of a Bison grammar file.
-
-Writing @acronym{GLR} Parsers
-
-* Simple GLR Parsers:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers on unambiguous grammars.
-* Merging GLR Parses:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers to resolve ambiguities.
-* GLR Semantic Actions:: Deferred semantic actions have special concerns.
-* Compiler Requirements:: @acronym{GLR} parsers require a modern C compiler.
+* Language and Grammar:: Languages and context-free grammars,
+ as mathematical ideas.
+* Grammar in Bison:: How we represent grammars for Bison's sake.
+* Semantic Values:: Each token or syntactic grouping can have
+ a semantic value (the value of an integer,
+ the name of an identifier, etc.).
+* Semantic Actions:: Each rule can have an action containing C code.
+* GLR Parsers:: Writing parsers for general context-free languages.
+* Locations Overview:: Tracking Locations.
+* Bison Parser:: What are Bison's input and output,
+ how is the output used?
+* Stages:: Stages in writing and running Bison grammars.
+* Grammar Layout:: Overall structure of a Bison grammar file.
+
+Writing GLR Parsers
+
+* Simple GLR Parsers:: Using GLR parsers on unambiguous grammars.
+* Merging GLR Parses:: Using GLR parsers to resolve ambiguities.
+* GLR Semantic Actions:: Deferred semantic actions have special concerns.
+* Compiler Requirements:: GLR parsers require a modern C compiler.
Examples
-* RPN Calc:: Reverse polish notation calculator;
- a first example with no operator precedence.
-* Infix Calc:: Infix (algebraic) notation calculator.
- Operator precedence is introduced.
+* RPN Calc:: Reverse polish notation calculator;
+ a first example with no operator precedence.
+* Infix Calc:: Infix (algebraic) notation calculator.
+ Operator precedence is introduced.
* Simple Error Recovery:: Continuing after syntax errors.
* Location Tracking Calc:: Demonstrating the use of @@@var{n} and @@$.
-* Multi-function Calc:: Calculator with memory and trig functions.
- It uses multiple data-types for semantic values.
-* Exercises:: Ideas for improving the multi-function calculator.
+* Multi-function Calc:: Calculator with memory and trig functions.
+ It uses multiple data-types for semantic values.
+* Exercises:: Ideas for improving the multi-function calculator.
Reverse Polish Notation Calculator
-* Decls: Rpcalc Decls. Prologue (declarations) for rpcalc.
-* Rules: Rpcalc Rules. Grammar Rules for rpcalc, with explanation.
-* Lexer: Rpcalc Lexer. The lexical analyzer.
-* Main: Rpcalc Main. The controlling function.
-* Error: Rpcalc Error. The error reporting function.
-* Gen: Rpcalc Gen. Running Bison on the grammar file.
-* Comp: Rpcalc Compile. Run the C compiler on the output code.
+* Rpcalc Declarations:: Prologue (declarations) for rpcalc.
+* Rpcalc Rules:: Grammar Rules for rpcalc, with explanation.
+* Rpcalc Lexer:: The lexical analyzer.
+* Rpcalc Main:: The controlling function.
+* Rpcalc Error:: The error reporting function.
+* Rpcalc Generate:: Running Bison on the grammar file.
+* Rpcalc Compile:: Run the C compiler on the output code.
Grammar Rules for @code{rpcalc}
Location Tracking Calculator: @code{ltcalc}
-* Decls: Ltcalc Decls. Bison and C declarations for ltcalc.
-* Rules: Ltcalc Rules. Grammar rules for ltcalc, with explanations.
-* Lexer: Ltcalc Lexer. The lexical analyzer.
+* Ltcalc Declarations:: Bison and C declarations for ltcalc.
+* Ltcalc Rules:: Grammar rules for ltcalc, with explanations.
+* Ltcalc Lexer:: The lexical analyzer.
Multi-Function Calculator: @code{mfcalc}
-* Decl: Mfcalc Decl. Bison declarations for multi-function calculator.
-* Rules: Mfcalc Rules. Grammar rules for the calculator.
-* Symtab: Mfcalc Symtab. Symbol table management subroutines.
+* Mfcalc Declarations:: Bison declarations for multi-function calculator.
+* Mfcalc Rules:: Grammar rules for the calculator.
+* Mfcalc Symbol Table:: Symbol table management subroutines.
Bison Grammar Files
Outline of a Bison Grammar
-* Prologue:: Syntax and usage of the prologue.
+* Prologue:: Syntax and usage of the prologue.
* Prologue Alternatives:: Syntax and usage of alternatives to the prologue.
-* Bison Declarations:: Syntax and usage of the Bison declarations section.
-* Grammar Rules:: Syntax and usage of the grammar rules section.
-* Epilogue:: Syntax and usage of the epilogue.
+* Bison Declarations:: Syntax and usage of the Bison declarations section.
+* Grammar Rules:: Syntax and usage of the grammar rules section.
+* Epilogue:: Syntax and usage of the epilogue.
Defining Language Semantics
* Mid-Rule Actions:: Most actions go at the end of a rule.
This says when, why and how to use the exceptional
action in the middle of a rule.
+* Named References:: Using named references in actions.
Tracking Locations
* Expect Decl:: Suppressing warnings about parsing conflicts.
* Start Decl:: Specifying the start symbol.
* Pure Decl:: Requesting a reentrant parser.
+* Push Decl:: Requesting a push parser.
* Decl Summary:: Table of all Bison declarations.
+* %code Summary:: Inserting code into the parser source.
Parser C-Language Interface
-* Parser Function:: How to call @code{yyparse} and what it returns.
-* Lexical:: You must supply a function @code{yylex}
- which reads tokens.
-* Error Reporting:: You must supply a function @code{yyerror}.
-* Action Features:: Special features for use in actions.
-* Internationalization:: How to let the parser speak in the user's
- native language.
+* Parser Function:: How to call @code{yyparse} and what it returns.
+* Push Parser Function:: How to call @code{yypush_parse} and what it returns.
+* Pull Parser Function:: How to call @code{yypull_parse} and what it returns.
+* Parser Create Function:: How to call @code{yypstate_new} and what it returns.
+* Parser Delete Function:: How to call @code{yypstate_delete} and what it returns.
+* Lexical:: You must supply a function @code{yylex}
+ which reads tokens.
+* Error Reporting:: You must supply a function @code{yyerror}.
+* Action Features:: Special features for use in actions.
+* Internationalization:: How to let the parser speak in the user's
+ native language.
The Lexical Analyzer Function @code{yylex}
* Calling Convention:: How @code{yyparse} calls @code{yylex}.
-* Token Values:: How @code{yylex} must return the semantic value
- of the token it has read.
-* Token Locations:: How @code{yylex} must return the text location
- (line number, etc.) of the token, if the
- actions want that.
-* Pure Calling:: How the calling convention differs
- in a pure parser (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}).
+* Token Values:: How @code{yylex} must return the semantic value
+ of the token it has read.
+* Token Locations:: How @code{yylex} must return the text location
+ (line number, etc.) of the token, if the
+ actions want that.
+* Pure Calling:: How the calling convention differs in a pure parser
+ (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}).
The Bison Parser Algorithm
* Contextual Precedence:: When an operator's precedence depends on context.
* Parser States:: The parser is a finite-state-machine with stack.
* Reduce/Reduce:: When two rules are applicable in the same situation.
-* Mystery Conflicts:: Reduce/reduce conflicts that look unjustified.
+* Mystery Conflicts:: Reduce/reduce conflicts that look unjustified.
* Generalized LR Parsing:: Parsing arbitrary context-free grammars.
* Memory Management:: What happens when memory is exhausted. How to avoid it.
* Option Cross Key:: Alphabetical list of long options.
* Yacc Library:: Yacc-compatible @code{yylex} and @code{main}.
-C++ Language Interface
+Parsers Written In Other Languages
* C++ Parsers:: The interface to generate C++ parser classes
-* A Complete C++ Example:: Demonstrating their use
+* Java Parsers:: The interface to generate Java parser classes
C++ Parsers
* C++ Location Values:: The position and location classes
* C++ Parser Interface:: Instantiating and running the parser
* C++ Scanner Interface:: Exchanges between yylex and parse
+* A Complete C++ Example:: Demonstrating their use
A Complete C++ Example
* Calc++ Scanner:: A pure C++ Flex scanner
* Calc++ Top Level:: Conducting the band
+Java Parsers
+
+* Java Bison Interface:: Asking for Java parser generation
+* Java Semantic Values:: %type and %token vs. Java
+* Java Location Values:: The position and location classes
+* Java Parser Interface:: Instantiating and running the parser
+* Java Scanner Interface:: Specifying the scanner for the parser
+* Java Action Features:: Special features for use in actions
+* Java Differences:: Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
+* Java Declarations Summary:: List of Bison declarations used with Java
+
Frequently Asked Questions
-* Memory Exhausted:: Breaking the Stack Limits
-* How Can I Reset the Parser:: @code{yyparse} Keeps some State
-* Strings are Destroyed:: @code{yylval} Loses Track of Strings
-* Implementing Gotos/Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
-* Multiple start-symbols:: Factoring closely related grammars
-* Secure? Conform?:: Is Bison @acronym{POSIX} safe?
-* I can't build Bison:: Troubleshooting
-* Where can I find help?:: Troubleshouting
-* Bug Reports:: Troublereporting
-* Other Languages:: Parsers in Java and others
-* Beta Testing:: Experimenting development versions
-* Mailing Lists:: Meeting other Bison users
+* Memory Exhausted:: Breaking the Stack Limits
+* How Can I Reset the Parser:: @code{yyparse} Keeps some State
+* Strings are Destroyed:: @code{yylval} Loses Track of Strings
+* Implementing Gotos/Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
+* Multiple start-symbols:: Factoring closely related grammars
+* Secure? Conform?:: Is Bison POSIX safe?
+* I can't build Bison:: Troubleshooting
+* Where can I find help?:: Troubleshouting
+* Bug Reports:: Troublereporting
+* More Languages:: Parsers in C++, Java, and so on
+* Beta Testing:: Experimenting development versions
+* Mailing Lists:: Meeting other Bison users
Copying This Manual
-* GNU Free Documentation License:: License for copying this manual.
+* Copying This Manual:: License for copying this manual.
@end detailmenu
@end menu
@cindex introduction
@dfn{Bison} is a general-purpose parser generator that converts an
-annotated context-free grammar into an @acronym{LALR}(1) or
-@acronym{GLR} parser for that grammar. Once you are proficient with
-Bison, you can use it to develop a wide range of language parsers, from those
-used in simple desk calculators to complex programming languages.
-
-Bison is upward compatible with Yacc: all properly-written Yacc grammars
-ought to work with Bison with no change. Anyone familiar with Yacc
-should be able to use Bison with little trouble. You need to be fluent in
-C or C++ programming in order to use Bison or to understand this manual.
+annotated context-free grammar into a deterministic LR or generalized
+LR (GLR) parser employing LALR(1) parser tables. As an experimental
+feature, Bison can also generate IELR(1) or canonical LR(1) parser
+tables. Once you are proficient with Bison, you can use it to develop
+a wide range of language parsers, from those used in simple desk
+calculators to complex programming languages.
+
+Bison is upward compatible with Yacc: all properly-written Yacc
+grammars ought to work with Bison with no change. Anyone familiar
+with Yacc should be able to use Bison with little trouble. You need
+to be fluent in C or C++ programming in order to use Bison or to
+understand this manual. Java is also supported as an experimental
+feature.
-We begin with tutorial chapters that explain the basic concepts of using
-Bison and show three explained examples, each building on the last. If you
-don't know Bison or Yacc, start by reading these chapters. Reference
-chapters follow which describe specific aspects of Bison in detail.
+We begin with tutorial chapters that explain the basic concepts of
+using Bison and show three explained examples, each building on the
+last. If you don't know Bison or Yacc, start by reading these
+chapters. Reference chapters follow, which describe specific aspects
+of Bison in detail.
-Bison was written primarily by Robert Corbett; Richard Stallman made it
-Yacc-compatible. Wilfred Hansen of Carnegie Mellon University added
-multi-character string literals and other features.
+Bison was written originally by Robert Corbett. Richard Stallman made
+it Yacc-compatible. Wilfred Hansen of Carnegie Mellon University
+added multi-character string literals and other features. Since then,
+Bison has grown more robust and evolved many other new features thanks
+to the hard work of a long list of volunteers. For details, see the
+@file{THANKS} and @file{ChangeLog} files included in the Bison
+distribution.
This edition corresponds to version @value{VERSION} of Bison.
The distribution terms for Bison-generated parsers permit using the
parsers in nonfree programs. Before Bison version 2.2, these extra
-permissions applied only when Bison was generating @acronym{LALR}(1)
+permissions applied only when Bison was generating LALR(1)
parsers in C@. And before Bison version 1.24, Bison-generated
parsers could be used only in programs that were free software.
-The other @acronym{GNU} programming tools, such as the @acronym{GNU} C
+The other GNU programming tools, such as the GNU C
compiler, have never
had such a requirement. They could always be used for nonfree
software. The reason Bison was different was not due to a special
policy decision; it resulted from applying the usual General Public
License to all of the Bison source code.
-The output of the Bison utility---the Bison parser file---contains a
-verbatim copy of a sizable piece of Bison, which is the code for the
-parser's implementation. (The actions from your grammar are inserted
-into this implementation at one point, but most of the rest of the
-implementation is not changed.) When we applied the @acronym{GPL}
-terms to the skeleton code for the parser's implementation,
+The main output of the Bison utility---the Bison parser implementation
+file---contains a verbatim copy of a sizable piece of Bison, which is
+the code for the parser's implementation. (The actions from your
+grammar are inserted into this implementation at one point, but most
+of the rest of the implementation is not changed.) When we applied
+the GPL terms to the skeleton code for the parser's implementation,
the effect was to restrict the use of Bison output to free software.
We didn't change the terms because of sympathy for people who want to
concluded that limiting Bison's use to free software was doing little to
encourage people to make other software free. So we decided to make the
practical conditions for using Bison match the practical conditions for
-using the other @acronym{GNU} tools.
+using the other GNU tools.
This exception applies when Bison is generating code for a parser.
You can tell whether the exception applies to a Bison output file by
exception@dots{}''. The text spells out the exact terms of the
exception.
-@include gpl.texi
+@node Copying
+@unnumbered GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
+@include gpl-3.0.texi
@node Concepts
@chapter The Concepts of Bison
use Bison or Yacc, we suggest you start by reading this chapter carefully.
@menu
-* Language and Grammar:: Languages and context-free grammars,
- as mathematical ideas.
-* Grammar in Bison:: How we represent grammars for Bison's sake.
-* Semantic Values:: Each token or syntactic grouping can have
- a semantic value (the value of an integer,
- the name of an identifier, etc.).
-* Semantic Actions:: Each rule can have an action containing C code.
-* GLR Parsers:: Writing parsers for general context-free languages.
-* Locations Overview:: Tracking Locations.
-* Bison Parser:: What are Bison's input and output,
- how is the output used?
-* Stages:: Stages in writing and running Bison grammars.
-* Grammar Layout:: Overall structure of a Bison grammar file.
+* Language and Grammar:: Languages and context-free grammars,
+ as mathematical ideas.
+* Grammar in Bison:: How we represent grammars for Bison's sake.
+* Semantic Values:: Each token or syntactic grouping can have
+ a semantic value (the value of an integer,
+ the name of an identifier, etc.).
+* Semantic Actions:: Each rule can have an action containing C code.
+* GLR Parsers:: Writing parsers for general context-free languages.
+* Locations Overview:: Tracking Locations.
+* Bison Parser:: What are Bison's input and output,
+ how is the output used?
+* Stages:: Stages in writing and running Bison grammars.
+* Grammar Layout:: Overall structure of a Bison grammar file.
@end menu
@node Language and Grammar
recursive, but there must be at least one rule which leads out of the
recursion.
-@cindex @acronym{BNF}
+@cindex BNF
@cindex Backus-Naur form
The most common formal system for presenting such rules for humans to read
-is @dfn{Backus-Naur Form} or ``@acronym{BNF}'', which was developed in
+is @dfn{Backus-Naur Form} or ``BNF'', which was developed in
order to specify the language Algol 60. Any grammar expressed in
-@acronym{BNF} is a context-free grammar. The input to Bison is
-essentially machine-readable @acronym{BNF}.
-
-@cindex @acronym{LALR}(1) grammars
-@cindex @acronym{LR}(1) grammars
-There are various important subclasses of context-free grammar. Although it
-can handle almost all context-free grammars, Bison is optimized for what
-are called @acronym{LALR}(1) grammars.
-In brief, in these grammars, it must be possible to
-tell how to parse any portion of an input string with just a single
-token of lookahead. Strictly speaking, that is a description of an
-@acronym{LR}(1) grammar, and @acronym{LALR}(1) involves additional
-restrictions that are
-hard to explain simply; but it is rare in actual practice to find an
-@acronym{LR}(1) grammar that fails to be @acronym{LALR}(1).
+BNF is a context-free grammar. The input to Bison is
+essentially machine-readable BNF.
+
+@cindex LALR(1) grammars
+@cindex IELR(1) grammars
+@cindex LR(1) grammars
+There are various important subclasses of context-free grammars.
+Although it can handle almost all context-free grammars, Bison is
+optimized for what are called LR(1) grammars.
+In brief, in these grammars, it must be possible to tell how to parse
+any portion of an input string with just a single token of lookahead.
+For historical reasons, Bison by default is limited by the additional
+restrictions of LALR(1), which is hard to explain simply.
@xref{Mystery Conflicts, ,Mysterious Reduce/Reduce Conflicts}, for
more information on this.
+As an experimental feature, you can escape these additional restrictions by
+requesting IELR(1) or canonical LR(1) parser tables.
+@xref{Decl Summary,,lr.type}, to learn how.
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing
+@cindex GLR parsing
+@cindex generalized LR (GLR) parsing
@cindex ambiguous grammars
@cindex nondeterministic parsing
-Parsers for @acronym{LALR}(1) grammars are @dfn{deterministic}, meaning
+Parsers for LR(1) grammars are @dfn{deterministic}, meaning
roughly that the next grammar rule to apply at any point in the input is
uniquely determined by the preceding input and a fixed, finite portion
(called a @dfn{lookahead}) of the remaining input. A context-free
grammars can be @dfn{nondeterministic}, meaning that no fixed
lookahead always suffices to determine the next grammar rule to apply.
With the proper declarations, Bison is also able to parse these more
-general context-free grammars, using a technique known as @acronym{GLR}
-parsing (for Generalized @acronym{LR}). Bison's @acronym{GLR} parsers
+general context-free grammars, using a technique known as GLR
+parsing (for Generalized LR). Bison's GLR parsers
are able to handle any context-free grammar for which the number of
possible parses of any given string is finite.
from the values of the two subexpressions.
@node GLR Parsers
-@section Writing @acronym{GLR} Parsers
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing
+@section Writing GLR Parsers
+@cindex GLR parsing
+@cindex generalized LR (GLR) parsing
@findex %glr-parser
@cindex conflicts
@cindex shift/reduce conflicts
@cindex reduce/reduce conflicts
-In some grammars, Bison's standard
-@acronym{LALR}(1) parsing algorithm cannot decide whether to apply a
+In some grammars, Bison's deterministic
+LR(1) parsing algorithm cannot decide whether to apply a
certain grammar rule at a given point. That is, it may not be able to
decide (on the basis of the input read so far) which of two possible
reductions (applications of a grammar rule) applies, or whether to apply
(@pxref{Reduce/Reduce}), and @dfn{shift/reduce} conflicts
(@pxref{Shift/Reduce}).
-To use a grammar that is not easily modified to be @acronym{LALR}(1), a
+To use a grammar that is not easily modified to be LR(1), a
more general parsing algorithm is sometimes necessary. If you include
@code{%glr-parser} among the Bison declarations in your file
-(@pxref{Grammar Outline}), the result is a Generalized @acronym{LR}
-(@acronym{GLR}) parser. These parsers handle Bison grammars that
+(@pxref{Grammar Outline}), the result is a Generalized LR
+(GLR) parser. These parsers handle Bison grammars that
contain no unresolved conflicts (i.e., after applying precedence
-declarations) identically to @acronym{LALR}(1) parsers. However, when
+declarations) identically to deterministic parsers. However, when
faced with unresolved shift/reduce and reduce/reduce conflicts,
-@acronym{GLR} parsers use the simple expedient of doing both,
+GLR parsers use the simple expedient of doing both,
effectively cloning the parser to follow both possibilities. Each of
the resulting parsers can again split, so that at any given time, there
can be any number of possible parses being explored. The parsers
merged result.
@menu
-* Simple GLR Parsers:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers on unambiguous grammars.
-* Merging GLR Parses:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers to resolve ambiguities.
-* GLR Semantic Actions:: Deferred semantic actions have special concerns.
-* Compiler Requirements:: @acronym{GLR} parsers require a modern C compiler.
+* Simple GLR Parsers:: Using GLR parsers on unambiguous grammars.
+* Merging GLR Parses:: Using GLR parsers to resolve ambiguities.
+* GLR Semantic Actions:: Deferred semantic actions have special concerns.
+* Compiler Requirements:: GLR parsers require a modern C compiler.
@end menu
@node Simple GLR Parsers
-@subsection Using @acronym{GLR} on Unambiguous Grammars
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing, unambiguous grammars
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing, unambiguous grammars
+@subsection Using GLR on Unambiguous Grammars
+@cindex GLR parsing, unambiguous grammars
+@cindex generalized LR (GLR) parsing, unambiguous grammars
@findex %glr-parser
@findex %expect-rr
@cindex conflicts
@cindex reduce/reduce conflicts
@cindex shift/reduce conflicts
-In the simplest cases, you can use the @acronym{GLR} algorithm
-to parse grammars that are unambiguous, but fail to be @acronym{LALR}(1).
-Such grammars typically require more than one symbol of lookahead,
-or (in rare cases) fall into the category of grammars in which the
-@acronym{LALR}(1) algorithm throws away too much information (they are in
-@acronym{LR}(1), but not @acronym{LALR}(1), @ref{Mystery Conflicts}).
+In the simplest cases, you can use the GLR algorithm
+to parse grammars that are unambiguous but fail to be LR(1).
+Such grammars typically require more than one symbol of lookahead.
Consider a problem that
arises in the declaration of enumerated and subrange types in the
@noindent
The original language standard allows only numeric
literals and constant identifiers for the subrange bounds (@samp{lo}
-and @samp{hi}), but Extended Pascal (@acronym{ISO}/@acronym{IEC}
+and @samp{hi}), but Extended Pascal (ISO/IEC
10206) and many other
Pascal implementations allow arbitrary expressions there. This gives
rise to the following situation, containing a superfluous pair of
valid, and more-complicated cases can come up in practical programs.)
These two declarations look identical until the @samp{..} token.
-With normal @acronym{LALR}(1) one-token lookahead it is not
+With normal LR(1) one-token lookahead it is not
possible to decide between the two forms when the identifier
@samp{a} is parsed. It is, however, desirable
for a parser to decide this, since in the latter case
work.
A simple solution to this problem is to declare the parser to
-use the @acronym{GLR} algorithm.
-When the @acronym{GLR} parser reaches the critical state, it
+use the GLR algorithm.
+When the GLR parser reaches the critical state, it
merely splits into two branches and pursues both syntax rules
simultaneously. Sooner or later, one of them runs into a parsing
error. If there is a @samp{..} token before the next
The effect of all this is that the parser seems to ``guess'' the
correct branch to take, or in other words, it seems to use more
-lookahead than the underlying @acronym{LALR}(1) algorithm actually allows
-for. In this example, @acronym{LALR}(2) would suffice, but also some cases
-that are not @acronym{LALR}(@math{k}) for any @math{k} can be handled this way.
+lookahead than the underlying LR(1) algorithm actually allows
+for. In this example, LR(2) would suffice, but also some cases
+that are not LR(@math{k}) for any @math{k} can be handled this way.
-In general, a @acronym{GLR} parser can take quadratic or cubic worst-case time,
+In general, a GLR parser can take quadratic or cubic worst-case time,
and the current Bison parser even takes exponential time and space
for some grammars. In practice, this rarely happens, and for many
grammars it is possible to prove that it cannot happen.
@end group
@end example
-When used as a normal @acronym{LALR}(1) grammar, Bison correctly complains
+When used as a normal LR(1) grammar, Bison correctly complains
about one reduce/reduce conflict. In the conflicting situation the
parser chooses one of the alternatives, arbitrarily the one
declared first. Therefore the following correct input is not
type t = (a) .. b;
@end example
-The parser can be turned into a @acronym{GLR} parser, while also telling Bison
-to be silent about the one known reduce/reduce conflict, by
-adding these two declarations to the Bison input file (before the first
+The parser can be turned into a GLR parser, while also telling Bison
+to be silent about the one known reduce/reduce conflict, by adding
+these two declarations to the Bison grammar file (before the first
@samp{%%}):
@example
limited syntax above, transparently. In fact, the user does not even
notice when the parser splits.
-So here we have a case where we can use the benefits of @acronym{GLR},
+So here we have a case where we can use the benefits of GLR,
almost without disadvantages. Even in simple cases like this, however,
there are at least two potential problems to beware. First, always
-analyze the conflicts reported by Bison to make sure that @acronym{GLR}
-splitting is only done where it is intended. A @acronym{GLR} parser
+analyze the conflicts reported by Bison to make sure that GLR
+splitting is only done where it is intended. A GLR parser
splitting inadvertently may cause problems less obvious than an
-@acronym{LALR} parser statically choosing the wrong alternative in a
+LR parser statically choosing the wrong alternative in a
conflict. Second, consider interactions with the lexer (@pxref{Semantic
Tokens}) with great care. Since a split parser consumes tokens without
performing any actions during the split, the lexer cannot obtain
information via parser actions. Some cases of lexer interactions can be
-eliminated by using @acronym{GLR} to shift the complications from the
+eliminated by using GLR to shift the complications from the
lexer to the parser. You must check the remaining cases for
correctness.
they cannot be used within the same enumerated type declaration.
@node Merging GLR Parses
-@subsection Using @acronym{GLR} to Resolve Ambiguities
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing, ambiguous grammars
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing, ambiguous grammars
+@subsection Using GLR to Resolve Ambiguities
+@cindex GLR parsing, ambiguous grammars
+@cindex generalized LR (GLR) parsing, ambiguous grammars
@findex %dprec
@findex %merge
@cindex conflicts
Bison detects this as a reduce/reduce conflict between the rules
@code{expr : ID} and @code{declarator : ID}, which it cannot resolve at the
time it encounters @code{x} in the example above. Since this is a
-@acronym{GLR} parser, it therefore splits the problem into two parses, one for
+GLR parser, it therefore splits the problem into two parses, one for
each choice of resolving the reduce/reduce conflict.
Unlike the example from the previous section (@pxref{Simple GLR Parsers}),
however, neither of these parses ``dies,'' because the grammar as it stands is
identical state: they've seen @samp{prog stmt} and have the same unprocessed
input remaining. We say that these parses have @dfn{merged.}
-At this point, the @acronym{GLR} parser requires a specification in the
+At this point, the GLR parser requires a specification in the
grammar of how to choose between the competing parses.
In the example above, the two @code{%dprec}
declarations specify that Bison is to give precedence
@end example
@noindent
-This is another example of using @acronym{GLR} to parse an unambiguous
+This is another example of using GLR to parse an unambiguous
construct, as shown in the previous section (@pxref{Simple GLR Parsers}).
Here, there is no ambiguity (this cannot be parsed as a declaration).
However, at the time the Bison parser encounters @code{x}, it does not
By definition, a deferred semantic action is not performed at the same time as
the associated reduction.
This raises caveats for several Bison features you might use in a semantic
-action in a @acronym{GLR} parser.
+action in a GLR parser.
@vindex yychar
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{yychar}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{yychar}
@vindex yylval
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{yylval}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{yylval}
@vindex yylloc
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{yylloc}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{yylloc}
In any semantic action, you can examine @code{yychar} to determine the type of
the lookahead token present at the time of the associated reduction.
After checking that @code{yychar} is not set to @code{YYEMPTY} or @code{YYEOF},
@xref{Lookahead, ,Lookahead Tokens}.
@findex yyclearin
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{yyclearin}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{yyclearin}
In a deferred semantic action, it's too late to influence syntax analysis.
In this case, @code{yychar}, @code{yylval}, and @code{yylloc} are set to
shallow copies of the values they had at the time of the associated reduction.
memory referenced by @code{yylval}.
@findex YYERROR
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{YYERROR}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{YYERROR}
Another Bison feature requiring special consideration is @code{YYERROR}
(@pxref{Action Features}), which you can invoke in a semantic action to
initiate error recovery.
-During deterministic @acronym{GLR} operation, the effect of @code{YYERROR} is
-the same as its effect in an @acronym{LALR}(1) parser.
+During deterministic GLR operation, the effect of @code{YYERROR} is
+the same as its effect in a deterministic parser.
In a deferred semantic action, its effect is undefined.
@c The effect is probably a syntax error at the split point.
Also, see @ref{Location Default Action, ,Default Action for Locations}, which
-describes a special usage of @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} in @acronym{GLR} parsers.
+describes a special usage of @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} in GLR parsers.
@node Compiler Requirements
-@subsection Considerations when Compiling @acronym{GLR} Parsers
+@subsection Considerations when Compiling GLR Parsers
@cindex @code{inline}
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{inline}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{inline}
-The @acronym{GLR} parsers require a compiler for @acronym{ISO} C89 or
+The GLR parsers require a compiler for ISO C89 or
later. In addition, they use the @code{inline} keyword, which is not
C89, but is C99 and is a common extension in pre-C99 compilers. It is
up to the user of these parsers to handle
of the first symbol, and the end of the last symbol.
@node Bison Parser
-@section Bison Output: the Parser File
+@section Bison Output: the Parser Implementation File
@cindex Bison parser
@cindex Bison utility
@cindex lexical analyzer, purpose
@cindex parser
-When you run Bison, you give it a Bison grammar file as input. The output
-is a C source file that parses the language described by the grammar.
-This file is called a @dfn{Bison parser}. Keep in mind that the Bison
-utility and the Bison parser are two distinct programs: the Bison utility
-is a program whose output is the Bison parser that becomes part of your
-program.
+When you run Bison, you give it a Bison grammar file as input. The
+most important output is a C source file that implements a parser for
+the language described by the grammar. This parser is called a
+@dfn{Bison parser}, and this file is called a @dfn{Bison parser
+implementation file}. Keep in mind that the Bison utility and the
+Bison parser are two distinct programs: the Bison utility is a program
+whose output is the Bison parser implementation file that becomes part
+of your program.
The job of the Bison parser is to group tokens into groupings according to
the grammar rules---for example, to build identifiers and operators into
parsing characters of text, but Bison does not depend on this.
@xref{Lexical, ,The Lexical Analyzer Function @code{yylex}}.
-The Bison parser file is C code which defines a function named
-@code{yyparse} which implements that grammar. This function does not make
-a complete C program: you must supply some additional functions. One is
-the lexical analyzer. Another is an error-reporting function which the
-parser calls to report an error. In addition, a complete C program must
-start with a function called @code{main}; you have to provide this, and
-arrange for it to call @code{yyparse} or the parser will never run.
-@xref{Interface, ,Parser C-Language Interface}.
+The Bison parser implementation file is C code which defines a
+function named @code{yyparse} which implements that grammar. This
+function does not make a complete C program: you must supply some
+additional functions. One is the lexical analyzer. Another is an
+error-reporting function which the parser calls to report an error.
+In addition, a complete C program must start with a function called
+@code{main}; you have to provide this, and arrange for it to call
+@code{yyparse} or the parser will never run. @xref{Interface, ,Parser
+C-Language Interface}.
Aside from the token type names and the symbols in the actions you
-write, all symbols defined in the Bison parser file itself
-begin with @samp{yy} or @samp{YY}. This includes interface functions
-such as the lexical analyzer function @code{yylex}, the error reporting
-function @code{yyerror} and the parser function @code{yyparse} itself.
-This also includes numerous identifiers used for internal purposes.
-Therefore, you should avoid using C identifiers starting with @samp{yy}
-or @samp{YY} in the Bison grammar file except for the ones defined in
-this manual. Also, you should avoid using the C identifiers
-@samp{malloc} and @samp{free} for anything other than their usual
-meanings.
-
-In some cases the Bison parser file includes system headers, and in
-those cases your code should respect the identifiers reserved by those
-headers. On some non-@acronym{GNU} hosts, @code{<alloca.h>}, @code{<malloc.h>},
-@code{<stddef.h>}, and @code{<stdlib.h>} are included as needed to
-declare memory allocators and related types. @code{<libintl.h>} is
-included if message translation is in use
-(@pxref{Internationalization}). Other system headers may
-be included if you define @code{YYDEBUG} to a nonzero value
-(@pxref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}).
+write, all symbols defined in the Bison parser implementation file
+itself begin with @samp{yy} or @samp{YY}. This includes interface
+functions such as the lexical analyzer function @code{yylex}, the
+error reporting function @code{yyerror} and the parser function
+@code{yyparse} itself. This also includes numerous identifiers used
+for internal purposes. Therefore, you should avoid using C
+identifiers starting with @samp{yy} or @samp{YY} in the Bison grammar
+file except for the ones defined in this manual. Also, you should
+avoid using the C identifiers @samp{malloc} and @samp{free} for
+anything other than their usual meanings.
+
+In some cases the Bison parser implementation file includes system
+headers, and in those cases your code should respect the identifiers
+reserved by those headers. On some non-GNU hosts, @code{<alloca.h>},
+@code{<malloc.h>}, @code{<stddef.h>}, and @code{<stdlib.h>} are
+included as needed to declare memory allocators and related types.
+@code{<libintl.h>} is included if message translation is in use
+(@pxref{Internationalization}). Other system headers may be included
+if you define @code{YYDEBUG} to a nonzero value (@pxref{Tracing,
+,Tracing Your Parser}).
@node Stages
@section Stages in Using Bison
source file to try them.
@menu
-* RPN Calc:: Reverse polish notation calculator;
- a first example with no operator precedence.
-* Infix Calc:: Infix (algebraic) notation calculator.
- Operator precedence is introduced.
+* RPN Calc:: Reverse polish notation calculator;
+ a first example with no operator precedence.
+* Infix Calc:: Infix (algebraic) notation calculator.
+ Operator precedence is introduced.
* Simple Error Recovery:: Continuing after syntax errors.
* Location Tracking Calc:: Demonstrating the use of @@@var{n} and @@$.
-* Multi-function Calc:: Calculator with memory and trig functions.
- It uses multiple data-types for semantic values.
-* Exercises:: Ideas for improving the multi-function calculator.
+* Multi-function Calc:: Calculator with memory and trig functions.
+ It uses multiple data-types for semantic values.
+* Exercises:: Ideas for improving the multi-function calculator.
@end menu
@node RPN Calc
The second example will illustrate how operator precedence is handled.
The source code for this calculator is named @file{rpcalc.y}. The
-@samp{.y} extension is a convention used for Bison input files.
+@samp{.y} extension is a convention used for Bison grammar files.
@menu
-* Decls: Rpcalc Decls. Prologue (declarations) for rpcalc.
-* Rules: Rpcalc Rules. Grammar Rules for rpcalc, with explanation.
-* Lexer: Rpcalc Lexer. The lexical analyzer.
-* Main: Rpcalc Main. The controlling function.
-* Error: Rpcalc Error. The error reporting function.
-* Gen: Rpcalc Gen. Running Bison on the grammar file.
-* Comp: Rpcalc Compile. Run the C compiler on the output code.
+* Rpcalc Declarations:: Prologue (declarations) for rpcalc.
+* Rpcalc Rules:: Grammar Rules for rpcalc, with explanation.
+* Rpcalc Lexer:: The lexical analyzer.
+* Rpcalc Main:: The controlling function.
+* Rpcalc Error:: The error reporting function.
+* Rpcalc Generate:: Running Bison on the grammar file.
+* Rpcalc Compile:: Run the C compiler on the output code.
@end menu
-@node Rpcalc Decls
+@node Rpcalc Declarations
@subsection Declarations for @code{rpcalc}
Here are the C and Bison declarations for the reverse polish notation
tokens by calling the lexical analyzer. @xref{Lexical, ,The Lexical
Analyzer Function @code{yylex}}.
-Only a simple lexical analyzer is needed for the @acronym{RPN}
+Only a simple lexical analyzer is needed for the RPN
calculator. This
lexical analyzer skips blanks and tabs, then reads in numbers as
@code{double} and returns them as @code{NUM} tokens. Any other character
The semantic value of the token (if it has one) is stored into the
global variable @code{yylval}, which is where the Bison parser will look
for it. (The C data type of @code{yylval} is @code{YYSTYPE}, which was
-defined at the beginning of the grammar; @pxref{Rpcalc Decls,
+defined at the beginning of the grammar; @pxref{Rpcalc Declarations,
,Declarations for @code{rpcalc}}.)
A token type code of zero is returned if the end-of-input is encountered.
cause the calculator program to exit. This is not clean behavior for a
real calculator, but it is adequate for the first example.
-@node Rpcalc Gen
+@node Rpcalc Generate
@subsection Running Bison to Make the Parser
@cindex running Bison (introduction)
Before running Bison to produce a parser, we need to decide how to
arrange all the source code in one or more source files. For such a
-simple example, the easiest thing is to put everything in one file. The
-definitions of @code{yylex}, @code{yyerror} and @code{main} go at the
-end, in the epilogue of the file
+simple example, the easiest thing is to put everything in one file,
+the grammar file. The definitions of @code{yylex}, @code{yyerror} and
+@code{main} go at the end, in the epilogue of the grammar file
(@pxref{Grammar Layout, ,The Overall Layout of a Bison Grammar}).
For a large project, you would probably have several source files, and use
@code{make} to arrange to recompile them.
-With all the source in a single file, you use the following command to
-convert it into a parser file:
+With all the source in the grammar file, you use the following command
+to convert it into a parser implementation file:
@example
bison @var{file}.y
@end example
@noindent
-In this example the file was called @file{rpcalc.y} (for ``Reverse Polish
-@sc{calc}ulator''). Bison produces a file named @file{@var{file}.tab.c},
-removing the @samp{.y} from the original file name. The file output by
-Bison contains the source code for @code{yyparse}. The additional
-functions in the input file (@code{yylex}, @code{yyerror} and @code{main})
-are copied verbatim to the output.
+In this example, the grammar file is called @file{rpcalc.y} (for
+``Reverse Polish @sc{calc}ulator''). Bison produces a parser
+implementation file named @file{@var{file}.tab.c}, removing the
+@samp{.y} from the grammar file name. The parser implementation file
+contains the source code for @code{yyparse}. The additional functions
+in the grammar file (@code{yylex}, @code{yyerror} and @code{main}) are
+copied verbatim to the parser implementation file.
@node Rpcalc Compile
-@subsection Compiling the Parser File
+@subsection Compiling the Parser Implementation File
@cindex compiling the parser
-Here is how to compile and run the parser file:
+Here is how to compile and run the parser implementation file:
@example
@group
analyzer.
@menu
-* Decls: Ltcalc Decls. Bison and C declarations for ltcalc.
-* Rules: Ltcalc Rules. Grammar rules for ltcalc, with explanations.
-* Lexer: Ltcalc Lexer. The lexical analyzer.
+* Ltcalc Declarations:: Bison and C declarations for ltcalc.
+* Ltcalc Rules:: Grammar rules for ltcalc, with explanations.
+* Ltcalc Lexer:: The lexical analyzer.
@end menu
-@node Ltcalc Decls
+@node Ltcalc Declarations
@subsection Declarations for @code{ltcalc}
The C and Bison declarations for the location tracking calculator are
Note that multiple assignment and nested function calls are permitted.
@menu
-* Decl: Mfcalc Decl. Bison declarations for multi-function calculator.
-* Rules: Mfcalc Rules. Grammar rules for the calculator.
-* Symtab: Mfcalc Symtab. Symbol table management subroutines.
+* Mfcalc Declarations:: Bison declarations for multi-function calculator.
+* Mfcalc Rules:: Grammar rules for the calculator.
+* Mfcalc Symbol Table:: Symbol table management subroutines.
@end menu
-@node Mfcalc Decl
+@node Mfcalc Declarations
@subsection Declarations for @code{mfcalc}
Here are the C and Bison declarations for the multi-function calculator.
%%
@end smallexample
-@node Mfcalc Symtab
+@node Mfcalc Symbol Table
@subsection The @code{mfcalc} Symbol Table
@cindex symbol table example
Bison takes as input a context-free grammar specification and produces a
C-language function that recognizes correct instances of the grammar.
-The Bison grammar input file conventionally has a name ending in @samp{.y}.
+The Bison grammar file conventionally has a name ending in @samp{.y}.
@xref{Invocation, ,Invoking Bison}.
@menu
@end example
Comments enclosed in @samp{/* @dots{} */} may appear in any of the sections.
-As a @acronym{GNU} extension, @samp{//} introduces a comment that
+As a GNU extension, @samp{//} introduces a comment that
continues until end of line.
@menu
-* Prologue:: Syntax and usage of the prologue.
+* Prologue:: Syntax and usage of the prologue.
* Prologue Alternatives:: Syntax and usage of alternatives to the prologue.
-* Bison Declarations:: Syntax and usage of the Bison declarations section.
-* Grammar Rules:: Syntax and usage of the grammar rules section.
-* Epilogue:: Syntax and usage of the epilogue.
+* Bison Declarations:: Syntax and usage of the Bison declarations section.
+* Grammar Rules:: Syntax and usage of the grammar rules section.
+* Epilogue:: Syntax and usage of the epilogue.
@end menu
@node Prologue
The @var{Prologue} section contains macro definitions and declarations
of functions and variables that are used in the actions in the grammar
-rules. These are copied to the beginning of the parser file so that
-they precede the definition of @code{yyparse}. You can use
-@samp{#include} to get the declarations from a header file. If you
-don't need any C declarations, you may omit the @samp{%@{} and
+rules. These are copied to the beginning of the parser implementation
+file so that they precede the definition of @code{yyparse}. You can
+use @samp{#include} to get the declarations from a header file. If
+you don't need any C declarations, you may omit the @samp{%@{} and
@samp{%@}} delimiters that bracket this section.
The @var{Prologue} section is terminated by the first occurrence
@findex %code requires
@findex %code provides
@findex %code top
-(The prologue alternatives described here are experimental.
-More user feedback will help to determine whether they should become permanent
-features.)
The functionality of @var{Prologue} sections can often be subtle and
-inflexible.
-As an alternative, Bison provides a %code directive with an explicit qualifier
-field, which identifies the purpose of the code and thus the location(s) where
-Bison should generate it.
-For C/C++, the qualifier can be omitted for the default location, or it can be
-@code{requires}, @code{provides}, or @code{top}.
-@xref{Decl Summary,,%code}.
+inflexible. As an alternative, Bison provides a @code{%code}
+directive with an explicit qualifier field, which identifies the
+purpose of the code and thus the location(s) where Bison should
+generate it. For C/C++, the qualifier can be omitted for the default
+location, or it can be one of @code{requires}, @code{provides},
+@code{top}. @xref{%code Summary}.
Look again at the example of the previous section:
@end smallexample
@noindent
-Notice that there are two @var{Prologue} sections here, but there's a subtle
-distinction between their functionality.
-For example, if you decide to override Bison's default definition for
-@code{YYLTYPE}, in which @var{Prologue} section should you write your new
-definition?
-You should write it in the first since Bison will insert that code into the
-parser source code file @emph{before} the default @code{YYLTYPE} definition.
-In which @var{Prologue} section should you prototype an internal function,
-@code{trace_token}, that accepts @code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yytokentype} as
-arguments?
-You should prototype it in the second since Bison will insert that code
+Notice that there are two @var{Prologue} sections here, but there's a
+subtle distinction between their functionality. For example, if you
+decide to override Bison's default definition for @code{YYLTYPE}, in
+which @var{Prologue} section should you write your new definition?
+You should write it in the first since Bison will insert that code
+into the parser implementation file @emph{before} the default
+@code{YYLTYPE} definition. In which @var{Prologue} section should you
+prototype an internal function, @code{trace_token}, that accepts
+@code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yytokentype} as arguments? You should
+prototype it in the second since Bison will insert that code
@emph{after} the @code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yytokentype} definitions.
This distinction in functionality between the two @var{Prologue} sections is
explicit which kind you intend.
Moreover, both kinds are always available even in the absence of @code{%union}.
-The @code{%code top} block above logically contains two parts.
-The first two lines before the warning need to appear near the top of the
-parser source code file.
-The first line after the warning is required by @code{YYSTYPE} and thus also
-needs to appear in the parser source code file.
-However, if you've instructed Bison to generate a parser header file
-(@pxref{Decl Summary, ,%defines}), you probably want that line to appear before
-the @code{YYSTYPE} definition in that header file as well.
-The @code{YYLTYPE} definition should also appear in the parser header file to
-override the default @code{YYLTYPE} definition there.
+The @code{%code top} block above logically contains two parts. The
+first two lines before the warning need to appear near the top of the
+parser implementation file. The first line after the warning is
+required by @code{YYSTYPE} and thus also needs to appear in the parser
+implementation file. However, if you've instructed Bison to generate
+a parser header file (@pxref{Decl Summary, ,%defines}), you probably
+want that line to appear before the @code{YYSTYPE} definition in that
+header file as well. The @code{YYLTYPE} definition should also appear
+in the parser header file to override the default @code{YYLTYPE}
+definition there.
In other words, in the @code{%code top} block above, all but the first two
lines are dependency code required by the @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}
@end smallexample
@noindent
-Now Bison will insert @code{#include "ptypes.h"} and the new @code{YYLTYPE}
-definition before the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}
-definitions in both the parser source code file and the parser header file.
-(By the same reasoning, @code{%code requires} would also be the appropriate
-place to write your own definition for @code{YYSTYPE}.)
-
-When you are writing dependency code for @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}, you
-should prefer @code{%code requires} over @code{%code top} regardless of whether
-you instruct Bison to generate a parser header file.
-When you are writing code that you need Bison to insert only into the parser
-source code file and that has no special need to appear at the top of that
-file, you should prefer the unqualified @code{%code} over @code{%code top}.
-These practices will make the purpose of each block of your code explicit to
-Bison and to other developers reading your grammar file.
-Following these practices, we expect the unqualified @code{%code} and
-@code{%code requires} to be the most important of the four @var{Prologue}
+Now Bison will insert @code{#include "ptypes.h"} and the new
+@code{YYLTYPE} definition before the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE}
+and @code{YYLTYPE} definitions in both the parser implementation file
+and the parser header file. (By the same reasoning, @code{%code
+requires} would also be the appropriate place to write your own
+definition for @code{YYSTYPE}.)
+
+When you are writing dependency code for @code{YYSTYPE} and
+@code{YYLTYPE}, you should prefer @code{%code requires} over
+@code{%code top} regardless of whether you instruct Bison to generate
+a parser header file. When you are writing code that you need Bison
+to insert only into the parser implementation file and that has no
+special need to appear at the top of that file, you should prefer the
+unqualified @code{%code} over @code{%code top}. These practices will
+make the purpose of each block of your code explicit to Bison and to
+other developers reading your grammar file. Following these
+practices, we expect the unqualified @code{%code} and @code{%code
+requires} to be the most important of the four @var{Prologue}
alternatives.
-At some point while developing your parser, you might decide to provide
-@code{trace_token} to modules that are external to your parser.
-Thus, you might wish for Bison to insert the prototype into both the parser
-header file and the parser source code file.
-Since this function is not a dependency required by @code{YYSTYPE} or
+At some point while developing your parser, you might decide to
+provide @code{trace_token} to modules that are external to your
+parser. Thus, you might wish for Bison to insert the prototype into
+both the parser header file and the parser implementation file. Since
+this function is not a dependency required by @code{YYSTYPE} or
@code{YYLTYPE}, it doesn't make sense to move its prototype to a
-@code{%code requires}.
-More importantly, since it depends upon @code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yytokentype},
-@code{%code requires} is not sufficient.
-Instead, move its prototype from the unqualified @code{%code} to a
-@code{%code provides}:
+@code{%code requires}. More importantly, since it depends upon
+@code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yytokentype}, @code{%code requires} is not
+sufficient. Instead, move its prototype from the unqualified
+@code{%code} to a @code{%code provides}:
@smallexample
%code top @{
@end smallexample
@noindent
-Bison will insert the @code{trace_token} prototype into both the parser header
-file and the parser source code file after the definitions for
-@code{yytokentype}, @code{YYLTYPE}, and @code{YYSTYPE}.
-
-The above examples are careful to write directives in an order that reflects
-the layout of the generated parser source code and header files:
-@code{%code top}, @code{%code requires}, @code{%code provides}, and then
-@code{%code}.
-While your grammar files may generally be easier to read if you also follow
-this order, Bison does not require it.
-Instead, Bison lets you choose an organization that makes sense to you.
+Bison will insert the @code{trace_token} prototype into both the
+parser header file and the parser implementation file after the
+definitions for @code{yytokentype}, @code{YYLTYPE}, and
+@code{YYSTYPE}.
+
+The above examples are careful to write directives in an order that
+reflects the layout of the generated parser implementation and header
+files: @code{%code top}, @code{%code requires}, @code{%code provides},
+and then @code{%code}. While your grammar files may generally be
+easier to read if you also follow this order, Bison does not require
+it. Instead, Bison lets you choose an organization that makes sense
+to you.
You may declare any of these directives multiple times in the grammar file.
In that case, Bison concatenates the contained code in declaration order.
You could even place each of the above directive groups in the rules section of
the grammar file next to the set of rules that uses the associated semantic
type.
+(In the rules section, you must terminate each of those directives with a
+semicolon.)
And you don't have to worry that some directive (like a @code{%union}) in the
definitions section is going to adversely affect their functionality in some
counter-intuitive manner just because it comes first.
@cindex epilogue
@cindex C code, section for additional
-The @var{Epilogue} is copied verbatim to the end of the parser file, just as
-the @var{Prologue} is copied to the beginning. This is the most convenient
-place to put anything that you want to have in the parser file but which need
-not come before the definition of @code{yyparse}. For example, the
-definitions of @code{yylex} and @code{yyerror} often go here. Because
-C requires functions to be declared before being used, you often need
-to declare functions like @code{yylex} and @code{yyerror} in the Prologue,
-even if you define them in the Epilogue.
-@xref{Interface, ,Parser C-Language Interface}.
+The @var{Epilogue} is copied verbatim to the end of the parser
+implementation file, just as the @var{Prologue} is copied to the
+beginning. This is the most convenient place to put anything that you
+want to have in the parser implementation file but which need not come
+before the definition of @code{yyparse}. For example, the definitions
+of @code{yylex} and @code{yyerror} often go here. Because C requires
+functions to be declared before being used, you often need to declare
+functions like @code{yylex} and @code{yyerror} in the Prologue, even
+if you define them in the Epilogue. @xref{Interface, ,Parser
+C-Language Interface}.
If the last section is empty, you may omit the @samp{%%} that separates it
from the grammar rules.
equivalent groupings. The symbol name is used in writing grammar rules.
By convention, it should be all lower case.
-Symbol names can contain letters, digits (not at the beginning),
-underscores and periods. Periods make sense only in nonterminals.
+Symbol names can contain letters, underscores, periods, and non-initial
+digits and dashes. Dashes in symbol names are a GNU extension, incompatible
+with POSIX Yacc. Periods and dashes make symbol names less convenient to
+use with named references, which require brackets around such names
+(@pxref{Named References}). Terminal symbols that contain periods or dashes
+make little sense: since they are not valid symbols (in most programming
+languages) they are not exported as token names.
There are three ways of writing terminal symbols in the grammar:
character, so @code{yylex} can use the identical value to generate the
requisite code, though you may need to convert it to @code{unsigned
char} to avoid sign-extension on hosts where @code{char} is signed.
-Each named token type becomes a C macro in
-the parser file, so @code{yylex} can use the name to stand for the code.
-(This is why periods don't make sense in terminal symbols.)
-@xref{Calling Convention, ,Calling Convention for @code{yylex}}.
+Each named token type becomes a C macro in the parser implementation
+file, so @code{yylex} can use the name to stand for the code. (This
+is why periods don't make sense in terminal symbols.) @xref{Calling
+Convention, ,Calling Convention for @code{yylex}}.
If @code{yylex} is defined in a separate file, you need to arrange for the
token-type macro definitions to be available there. Use the @samp{-d}
The @code{yylex} function and Bison must use a consistent character set
and encoding for character tokens. For example, if you run Bison in an
-@acronym{ASCII} environment, but then compile and run the resulting
+ASCII environment, but then compile and run the resulting
program in an environment that uses an incompatible character set like
-@acronym{EBCDIC}, the resulting program may not work because the tables
-generated by Bison will assume @acronym{ASCII} numeric values for
+EBCDIC, the resulting program may not work because the tables
+generated by Bison will assume ASCII numeric values for
character tokens. It is standard practice for software distributions to
contain C source files that were generated by Bison in an
-@acronym{ASCII} environment, so installers on platforms that are
-incompatible with @acronym{ASCII} must rebuild those files before
+ASCII environment, so installers on platforms that are
+incompatible with ASCII must rebuild those files before
compiling them.
The symbol @code{error} is a terminal symbol reserved for error recovery
braces, much like a compound statement in C@. Braced code can contain
any sequence of C tokens, so long as its braces are balanced. Bison
does not check the braced code for correctness directly; it merely
-copies the code to the output file, where the C compiler can check it.
+copies the code to the parser implementation file, where the C
+compiler can check it.
Within braced code, the balanced-brace count is not affected by braces
within comments, string literals, or character constants, but it is
* Mid-Rule Actions:: Most actions go at the end of a rule.
This says when, why and how to use the exceptional
action in the middle of a rule.
+* Named References:: Using named references in actions.
@end menu
@node Value Type
In a simple program it may be sufficient to use the same data type for
the semantic values of all language constructs. This was true in the
-@acronym{RPN} and infix calculator examples (@pxref{RPN Calc, ,Reverse Polish
+RPN and infix calculator examples (@pxref{RPN Calc, ,Reverse Polish
Notation Calculator}).
Bison normally uses the type @code{int} for semantic values if your
@cindex action
@vindex $$
@vindex $@var{n}
+@vindex $@var{name}
+@vindex $[@var{name}]
An action accompanies a syntactic rule and contains C code to be executed
each time an instance of that rule is recognized. The task of most actions
a rule are tricky and used only for special purposes (@pxref{Mid-Rule
Actions, ,Actions in Mid-Rule}).
-The C code in an action can refer to the semantic values of the components
-matched by the rule with the construct @code{$@var{n}}, which stands for
-the value of the @var{n}th component. The semantic value for the grouping
-being constructed is @code{$$}. Bison translates both of these
-constructs into expressions of the appropriate type when it copies the
-actions into the parser file. @code{$$} is translated to a modifiable
-lvalue, so it can be assigned to.
+The C code in an action can refer to the semantic values of the
+components matched by the rule with the construct @code{$@var{n}},
+which stands for the value of the @var{n}th component. The semantic
+value for the grouping being constructed is @code{$$}. In addition,
+the semantic values of symbols can be accessed with the named
+references construct @code{$@var{name}} or @code{$[@var{name}]}.
+Bison translates both of these constructs into expressions of the
+appropriate type when it copies the actions into the parser
+implementation file. @code{$$} (or @code{$@var{name}}, when it stands
+for the current grouping) is translated to a modifiable lvalue, so it
+can be assigned to.
Here is a typical example:
@end group
@end example
+Or, in terms of named references:
+
+@example
+@group
+exp[result]: @dots{}
+ | exp[left] '+' exp[right]
+ @{ $result = $left + $right; @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
@noindent
This rule constructs an @code{exp} from two smaller @code{exp} groupings
connected by a plus-sign token. In the action, @code{$1} and @code{$3}
+(@code{$left} and @code{$right})
refer to the semantic values of the two component @code{exp} groupings,
which are the first and third symbols on the right hand side of the rule.
-The sum is stored into @code{$$} so that it becomes the semantic value of
+The sum is stored into @code{$$} (@code{$result}) so that it becomes the
+semantic value of
the addition-expression just recognized by the rule. If there were a
useful semantic value associated with the @samp{+} token, it could be
referred to as @code{$2}.
+@xref{Named References,,Using Named References}, for more information
+about using the named references construct.
+
Note that the vertical-bar character @samp{|} is really a rule
separator, and actions are attached to a single rule. This is a
difference with tools like Flex, for which @samp{|} stands for either
Now Bison can execute the action in the rule for @code{subroutine} without
deciding which rule for @code{compound} it will eventually use.
+@node Named References
+@subsection Using Named References
+@cindex named references
+
+While every semantic value can be accessed with positional references
+@code{$@var{n}} and @code{$$}, it's often much more convenient to refer to
+them by name. First of all, original symbol names may be used as named
+references. For example:
+
+@example
+@group
+invocation: op '(' args ')'
+ @{ $invocation = new_invocation ($op, $args, @@invocation); @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+The positional @code{$$}, @code{@@$}, @code{$n}, and @code{@@n} can be
+mixed with @code{$name} and @code{@@name} arbitrarily. For example:
+
+@example
+@group
+invocation: op '(' args ')'
+ @{ $$ = new_invocation ($op, $args, @@$); @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+However, sometimes regular symbol names are not sufficient due to
+ambiguities:
+
+@example
+@group
+exp: exp '/' exp
+ @{ $exp = $exp / $exp; @} // $exp is ambiguous.
+
+exp: exp '/' exp
+ @{ $$ = $1 / $exp; @} // One usage is ambiguous.
+
+exp: exp '/' exp
+ @{ $$ = $1 / $3; @} // No error.
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+When ambiguity occurs, explicitly declared names may be used for values and
+locations. Explicit names are declared as a bracketed name after a symbol
+appearance in rule definitions. For example:
+@example
+@group
+exp[result]: exp[left] '/' exp[right]
+ @{ $result = $left / $right; @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+Explicit names may be declared for RHS and for LHS symbols as well. In order
+to access a semantic value generated by a mid-rule action, an explicit name
+may also be declared by putting a bracketed name after the closing brace of
+the mid-rule action code:
+@example
+@group
+exp[res]: exp[x] '+' @{$left = $x;@}[left] exp[right]
+ @{ $res = $left + $right; @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+
+In references, in order to specify names containing dots and dashes, an explicit
+bracketed syntax @code{$[name]} and @code{@@[name]} must be used:
+@example
+@group
+if-stmt: IF '(' expr ')' THEN then.stmt ';'
+ @{ $[if-stmt] = new_if_stmt ($expr, $[then.stmt]); @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+It often happens that named references are followed by a dot, dash or other
+C punctuation marks and operators. By default, Bison will read
+@code{$name.suffix} as a reference to symbol value @code{$name} followed by
+@samp{.suffix}, i.e., an access to the @samp{suffix} field of the semantic
+value. In order to force Bison to recognize @code{name.suffix} in its entirety
+as the name of a semantic value, bracketed syntax @code{$[name.suffix]}
+must be used.
+
+
@node Locations
@section Tracking Locations
@cindex location
@} YYLTYPE;
@end example
-At the beginning of the parsing, Bison initializes all these fields to 1
-for @code{yylloc}.
+When @code{YYLTYPE} is not defined, at the beginning of the parsing, Bison
+initializes all these fields to 1 for @code{yylloc}. To initialize
+@code{yylloc} with a custom location type (or to chose a different
+initialization), use the @code{%initial-action} directive. @xref{Initial
+Action Decl, , Performing Actions before Parsing}.
@node Actions and Locations
@subsection Actions and Locations
@cindex actions, location
@vindex @@$
@vindex @@@var{n}
+@vindex @@@var{name}
+@vindex @@[@var{name}]
Actions are not only useful for defining language semantics, but also for
describing the behavior of the output parser with locations.
@code{@@@var{n}}, while the location of the left hand side grouping is
@code{@@$}.
+In addition, the named references construct @code{@@@var{name}} and
+@code{@@[@var{name}]} may also be used to address the symbol locations.
+@xref{Named References,,Using Named References}, for more information
+about using the named references construct.
+
Here is a basic example using the default data type for locations:
@example
@node Location Default Action
@subsection Default Action for Locations
@vindex YYLLOC_DEFAULT
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT}
+@cindex GLR parsers and @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT}
Actually, actions are not the best place to compute locations. Since
locations are much more general than semantic values, there is room in
rule. The @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} macro is invoked each time a rule is
matched, before the associated action is run. It is also invoked
while processing a syntax error, to compute the error's location.
-Before reporting an unresolvable syntactic ambiguity, a @acronym{GLR}
+Before reporting an unresolvable syntactic ambiguity, a GLR
parser invokes @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} recursively to compute the location
of that ambiguity.
rule is matched, the second parameter identifies locations of
all right hand side elements of the rule being matched, and the third
parameter is the size of the rule's right hand side.
-When a @acronym{GLR} parser reports an ambiguity, which of multiple candidate
+When a GLR parser reports an ambiguity, which of multiple candidate
right hand sides it passes to @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} is undefined.
When processing a syntax error, the second parameter identifies locations
of the symbols that were discarded during error processing, and the third
declared if you need to specify which data type to use for the semantic
value (@pxref{Multiple Types, ,More Than One Value Type}).
-The first rule in the file also specifies the start symbol, by default.
-If you want some other symbol to be the start symbol, you must declare
-it explicitly (@pxref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages and Context-Free
-Grammars}).
+The first rule in the grammar file also specifies the start symbol, by
+default. If you want some other symbol to be the start symbol, you
+must declare it explicitly (@pxref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages
+and Context-Free Grammars}).
@menu
* Require Decl:: Requiring a Bison version.
* Expect Decl:: Suppressing warnings about parsing conflicts.
* Start Decl:: Specifying the start symbol.
* Pure Decl:: Requesting a reentrant parser.
+* Push Decl:: Requesting a push parser.
* Decl Summary:: Table of all Bison declarations.
+* %code Summary:: Inserting code into the parser source.
@end menu
@node Require Decl
Precedence}.
You can explicitly specify the numeric code for a token type by appending
-a decimal or hexadecimal integer value in the field immediately
+a nonnegative decimal or hexadecimal integer value in the field immediately
following the token name:
@example
interchangeably in further declarations or the grammar rules. The
@code{yylex} function can use the token name or the literal string to
obtain the token type code number (@pxref{Calling Convention}).
+Syntax error messages passed to @code{yyerror} from the parser will reference
+the literal string instead of the token name.
+
+The token numbered as 0 corresponds to end of file; the following line
+allows for nicer error messages referring to ``end of file'' instead
+of ``$end'':
+
+@example
+%token END 0 "end of file"
+@end example
@node Precedence Decl
@subsection Operator Precedence
@xref{Precedence, ,Operator Precedence}, for general information on
operator precedence.
-The syntax of a precedence declaration is the same as that of
+The syntax of a precedence declaration is nearly the same as that of
@code{%token}: either
@example
the one declared later has the higher precedence and is grouped first.
@end itemize
+For backward compatibility, there is a confusing difference between the
+argument lists of @code{%token} and precedence declarations.
+Only a @code{%token} can associate a literal string with a token type name.
+A precedence declaration always interprets a literal string as a reference to a
+separate token.
+For example:
+
+@example
+%left OR "<=" // Does not declare an alias.
+%left OR 134 "<=" 135 // Declares 134 for OR and 135 for "<=".
+@end example
+
@node Union Decl
@subsection The Collection of Value Types
@cindex declaring value types
in the @code{%token} and @code{%type} declarations to pick one of the types
for a terminal or nonterminal symbol (@pxref{Type Decl, ,Nonterminal Symbols}).
-As an extension to @acronym{POSIX}, a tag is allowed after the
+As an extension to POSIX, a tag is allowed after the
@code{union}. For example:
@example
@code{union value}. If you do not specify a tag, it defaults to
@code{YYSTYPE}.
-As another extension to @acronym{POSIX}, you may specify multiple
+As another extension to POSIX, you may specify multiple
@code{%union} declarations; their contents are concatenated. However,
only the first @code{%union} declaration can specify a tag.
@code{YYABORT} or @code{YYACCEPT}, or failed error recovery, or memory
exhaustion.
-Right-hand size symbols of a rule that explicitly triggers a syntax
+Right-hand side symbols of a rule that explicitly triggers a syntax
error via @code{YYERROR} are not discarded automatically. As a rule
of thumb, destructors are invoked only when user actions cannot manage
the memory.
Bison reports an error if the number of shift/reduce conflicts differs
from @var{n}, or if there are any reduce/reduce conflicts.
-For normal @acronym{LALR}(1) parsers, reduce/reduce conflicts are more
+For deterministic parsers, reduce/reduce conflicts are more
serious, and should be eliminated entirely. Bison will always report
-reduce/reduce conflicts for these parsers. With @acronym{GLR}
+reduce/reduce conflicts for these parsers. With GLR
parsers, however, both kinds of conflicts are routine; otherwise,
-there would be no need to use @acronym{GLR} parsing. Therefore, it is
+there would be no need to use GLR parsing. Therefore, it is
also possible to specify an expected number of reduce/reduce conflicts
-in @acronym{GLR} parsers, using the declaration:
+in GLR parsers, using the declaration:
@example
%expect-rr @var{n}
@item
Add an @code{%expect} declaration, copying the number @var{n} from the
-number which Bison printed. With @acronym{GLR} parsers, add an
+number which Bison printed. With GLR parsers, add an
@code{%expect-rr} declaration as well.
@end itemize
-Now Bison will warn you if you introduce an unexpected conflict, but
-will keep silent otherwise.
+Now Bison will report an error if you introduce an unexpected conflict,
+but will keep silent otherwise.
@node Start Decl
@subsection The Start-Symbol
@subsection A Pure (Reentrant) Parser
@cindex reentrant parser
@cindex pure parser
-@findex %pure-parser
+@findex %define api.pure
A @dfn{reentrant} program is one which does not alter in the course of
execution; in other words, it consists entirely of @dfn{pure} (read-only)
including @code{yylval} and @code{yylloc}.)
Alternatively, you can generate a pure, reentrant parser. The Bison
-declaration @code{%pure-parser} says that you want the parser to be
+declaration @code{%define api.pure} says that you want the parser to be
reentrant. It looks like this:
@example
-%pure-parser
+%define api.pure
@end example
The result is that the communication variables @code{yylval} and
@code{yylloc} become local variables in @code{yyparse}, and a different
calling convention is used for the lexical analyzer function
@code{yylex}. @xref{Pure Calling, ,Calling Conventions for Pure
-Parsers}, for the details of this. The variable @code{yynerrs} also
-becomes local in @code{yyparse} (@pxref{Error Reporting, ,The Error
+Parsers}, for the details of this. The variable @code{yynerrs}
+becomes local in @code{yyparse} in pull mode but it becomes a member
+of yypstate in push mode. (@pxref{Error Reporting, ,The Error
Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}). The convention for calling
@code{yyparse} itself is unchanged.
You can generate either a pure parser or a nonreentrant parser from any
valid grammar.
+@node Push Decl
+@subsection A Push Parser
+@cindex push parser
+@cindex push parser
+@findex %define api.push-pull
+
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+A pull parser is called once and it takes control until all its input
+is completely parsed. A push parser, on the other hand, is called
+each time a new token is made available.
+
+A push parser is typically useful when the parser is part of a
+main event loop in the client's application. This is typically
+a requirement of a GUI, when the main event loop needs to be triggered
+within a certain time period.
+
+Normally, Bison generates a pull parser.
+The following Bison declaration says that you want the parser to be a push
+parser (@pxref{Decl Summary,,%define api.push-pull}):
+
+@example
+%define api.push-pull push
+@end example
+
+In almost all cases, you want to ensure that your push parser is also
+a pure parser (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}). The only
+time you should create an impure push parser is to have backwards
+compatibility with the impure Yacc pull mode interface. Unless you know
+what you are doing, your declarations should look like this:
+
+@example
+%define api.pure
+%define api.push-pull push
+@end example
+
+There is a major notable functional difference between the pure push parser
+and the impure push parser. It is acceptable for a pure push parser to have
+many parser instances, of the same type of parser, in memory at the same time.
+An impure push parser should only use one parser at a time.
+
+When a push parser is selected, Bison will generate some new symbols in
+the generated parser. @code{yypstate} is a structure that the generated
+parser uses to store the parser's state. @code{yypstate_new} is the
+function that will create a new parser instance. @code{yypstate_delete}
+will free the resources associated with the corresponding parser instance.
+Finally, @code{yypush_parse} is the function that should be called whenever a
+token is available to provide the parser. A trivial example
+of using a pure push parser would look like this:
+
+@example
+int status;
+yypstate *ps = yypstate_new ();
+do @{
+ status = yypush_parse (ps, yylex (), NULL);
+@} while (status == YYPUSH_MORE);
+yypstate_delete (ps);
+@end example
+
+If the user decided to use an impure push parser, a few things about
+the generated parser will change. The @code{yychar} variable becomes
+a global variable instead of a variable in the @code{yypush_parse} function.
+For this reason, the signature of the @code{yypush_parse} function is
+changed to remove the token as a parameter. A nonreentrant push parser
+example would thus look like this:
+
+@example
+extern int yychar;
+int status;
+yypstate *ps = yypstate_new ();
+do @{
+ yychar = yylex ();
+ status = yypush_parse (ps);
+@} while (status == YYPUSH_MORE);
+yypstate_delete (ps);
+@end example
+
+That's it. Notice the next token is put into the global variable @code{yychar}
+for use by the next invocation of the @code{yypush_parse} function.
+
+Bison also supports both the push parser interface along with the pull parser
+interface in the same generated parser. In order to get this functionality,
+you should replace the @code{%define api.push-pull push} declaration with the
+@code{%define api.push-pull both} declaration. Doing this will create all of
+the symbols mentioned earlier along with the two extra symbols, @code{yyparse}
+and @code{yypull_parse}. @code{yyparse} can be used exactly as it normally
+would be used. However, the user should note that it is implemented in the
+generated parser by calling @code{yypull_parse}.
+This makes the @code{yyparse} function that is generated with the
+@code{%define api.push-pull both} declaration slower than the normal
+@code{yyparse} function. If the user
+calls the @code{yypull_parse} function it will parse the rest of the input
+stream. It is possible to @code{yypush_parse} tokens to select a subgrammar
+and then @code{yypull_parse} the rest of the input stream. If you would like
+to switch back and forth between between parsing styles, you would have to
+write your own @code{yypull_parse} function that knows when to quit looking
+for input. An example of using the @code{yypull_parse} function would look
+like this:
+
+@example
+yypstate *ps = yypstate_new ();
+yypull_parse (ps); /* Will call the lexer */
+yypstate_delete (ps);
+@end example
+
+Adding the @code{%define api.pure} declaration does exactly the same thing to
+the generated parser with @code{%define api.push-pull both} as it did for
+@code{%define api.push-pull push}.
+
@node Decl Summary
@subsection Bison Declaration Summary
@cindex Bison declaration summary
directives:
@deffn {Directive} %code @{@var{code}@}
+@deffnx {Directive} %code @var{qualifier} @{@var{code}@}
@findex %code
-This is the unqualified form of the @code{%code} directive.
-It inserts @var{code} verbatim at the default location in the output.
-That default location is determined by the selected target language and/or
-parser skeleton.
+Insert @var{code} verbatim into the output parser source at the
+default location or at the location specified by @var{qualifier}.
+@xref{%code Summary}.
+@end deffn
-@cindex Prologue
-For the current C/C++ skeletons, the default location is the parser source code
-file after the usual contents of the parser header file.
-Thus, @code{%code} replaces the traditional Yacc prologue,
-@code{%@{@var{code}%@}}, for most purposes.
-For a detailed discussion, see @ref{Prologue Alternatives}.
+@deffn {Directive} %debug
+In the parser implementation file, define the macro @code{YYDEBUG} to
+1 if it is not already defined, so that the debugging facilities are
+compiled. @xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
+@end deffn
-@comment For Java, the default location is inside the parser class.
+@deffn {Directive} %define @var{variable}
+@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{variable} @var{value}
+@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{variable} "@var{value}"
+Define a variable to adjust Bison's behavior.
-(Like all the Yacc prologue alternatives, this directive is experimental.
-More user feedback will help to determine whether it should become a permanent
-feature.)
-@end deffn
+It is an error if a @var{variable} is defined by @code{%define} multiple
+times, but see @ref{Bison Options,,-D @var{name}[=@var{value}]}.
-@deffn {Directive} %code @var{qualifier} @{@var{code}@}
-This is the qualified form of the @code{%code} directive.
-If you need to specify location-sensitive verbatim @var{code} that does not
-belong at the default location selected by the unqualified @code{%code} form,
-use this form instead.
+@var{value} must be placed in quotation marks if it contains any character
+other than a letter, underscore, period, or non-initial dash or digit.
-@var{qualifier} identifies the purpose of @var{code} and thus the location(s)
-where Bison should generate it.
-Not all values of @var{qualifier} are available for all target languages:
+Omitting @code{"@var{value}"} entirely is always equivalent to specifying
+@code{""}.
+
+Some @var{variable}s take Boolean values.
+In this case, Bison will complain if the variable definition does not meet one
+of the following four conditions:
+
+@enumerate
+@item @code{@var{value}} is @code{true}
+
+@item @code{@var{value}} is omitted (or @code{""} is specified).
+This is equivalent to @code{true}.
+
+@item @code{@var{value}} is @code{false}.
+
+@item @var{variable} is never defined.
+In this case, Bison selects a default value.
+@end enumerate
+
+What @var{variable}s are accepted, as well as their meanings and default
+values, depend on the selected target language and/or the parser
+skeleton (@pxref{Decl Summary,,%language}, @pxref{Decl
+Summary,,%skeleton}).
+Unaccepted @var{variable}s produce an error.
+Some of the accepted @var{variable}s are:
@itemize @bullet
-@findex %code requires
-@item requires
+@item api.pure
+@findex %define api.pure
@itemize @bullet
-@item Language(s): C, C++
+@item Language(s): C
-@item Purpose: This is the best place to write dependency code required for
-@code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}.
-In other words, it's the best place to define types referenced in @code{%union}
-directives, and it's the best place to override Bison's default @code{YYSTYPE}
-and @code{YYLTYPE} definitions.
+@item Purpose: Request a pure (reentrant) parser program.
+@xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}.
-@item Location(s): The parser header file and the parser source code file
-before the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE} definitions.
+@item Accepted Values: Boolean
+
+@item Default Value: @code{false}
@end itemize
-@item provides
-@findex %code provides
+@item api.push-pull
+@findex %define api.push-pull
@itemize @bullet
-@item Language(s): C, C++
+@item Language(s): C (deterministic parsers only)
-@item Purpose: This is the best place to write additional definitions and
-declarations that should be provided to other modules.
+@item Purpose: Request a pull parser, a push parser, or both.
+@xref{Push Decl, ,A Push Parser}.
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+@item Accepted Values: @code{pull}, @code{push}, @code{both}
-@item Location(s): The parser header file and the parser source code file after
-the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE}, @code{YYLTYPE}, and token definitions.
+@item Default Value: @code{pull}
@end itemize
-@item top
-@findex %code top
+@c ================================================== lr.default-reductions
+
+@item lr.default-reductions
+@cindex default reductions
+@findex %define lr.default-reductions
+@cindex delayed syntax errors
+@cindex syntax errors delayed
+@cindex LAC
+@findex %nonassoc
@itemize @bullet
-@item Language(s): C, C++
+@item Language(s): all
+
+@item Purpose: Specify the kind of states that are permitted to
+contain default reductions.
+That is, in such a state, Bison selects the reduction with the largest
+lookahead set to be the default parser action and then removes that
+lookahead set.
+(The ability to specify where default reductions should be used is
+experimental.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+@item Accepted Values:
+@itemize
+@item @code{all}.
+This is the traditional Bison behavior.
+The main advantage is a significant decrease in the size of the parser
+tables.
+The disadvantage is that, when the generated parser encounters a
+syntactically unacceptable token, the parser might then perform
+unnecessary default reductions before it can detect the syntax error.
+Such delayed syntax error detection is usually inherent in
+LALR and IELR parser tables anyway due to
+LR state merging (@pxref{Decl Summary,,lr.type}).
+Furthermore, the use of @code{%nonassoc} can contribute to delayed
+syntax error detection even in the case of canonical LR.
+As an experimental feature, delayed syntax error detection can be
+overcome in all cases by enabling LAC (@pxref{Decl
+Summary,,parse.lac}, for details, including a discussion of the effects
+of delayed syntax error detection).
+
+@item @code{consistent}.
+@cindex consistent states
+A consistent state is a state that has only one possible action.
+If that action is a reduction, then the parser does not need to request
+a lookahead token from the scanner before performing that action.
+However, the parser recognizes the ability to ignore the lookahead token
+in this way only when such a reduction is encoded as a default
+reduction.
+Thus, if default reductions are permitted only in consistent states,
+then a canonical LR parser that does not employ
+@code{%nonassoc} detects a syntax error as soon as it @emph{needs} the
+syntactically unacceptable token from the scanner.
+
+@item @code{accepting}.
+@cindex accepting state
+In the accepting state, the default reduction is actually the accept
+action.
+In this case, a canonical LR parser that does not employ
+@code{%nonassoc} detects a syntax error as soon as it @emph{reaches} the
+syntactically unacceptable token in the input.
+That is, it does not perform any extra reductions.
+@end itemize
-@item Purpose: The unqualified @code{%code} or @code{%code requires} should
-usually be more appropriate than @code{%code top}.
-However, occasionally it is necessary to insert code much nearer the top of the
-parser source code file.
-For example:
+@item Default Value:
+@itemize
+@item @code{accepting} if @code{lr.type} is @code{canonical-lr}.
+@item @code{all} otherwise.
+@end itemize
+@end itemize
-@smallexample
-%code top @{
- #define _GNU_SOURCE
- #include <stdio.h>
-@}
-@end smallexample
+@c ============================================ lr.keep-unreachable-states
+
+@item lr.keep-unreachable-states
+@findex %define lr.keep-unreachable-states
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): all
-@item Location(s): Near the top of the parser source code file.
+@item Purpose: Request that Bison allow unreachable parser states to
+remain in the parser tables.
+Bison considers a state to be unreachable if there exists no sequence of
+transitions from the start state to that state.
+A state can become unreachable during conflict resolution if Bison disables a
+shift action leading to it from a predecessor state.
+Keeping unreachable states is sometimes useful for analysis purposes, but they
+are useless in the generated parser.
+
+@item Accepted Values: Boolean
+
+@item Default Value: @code{false}
+
+@item Caveats:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+
+@item Unreachable states may contain conflicts and may use rules not used in
+any other state.
+Thus, keeping unreachable states may induce warnings that are irrelevant to
+your parser's behavior, and it may eliminate warnings that are relevant.
+Of course, the change in warnings may actually be relevant to a parser table
+analysis that wants to keep unreachable states, so this behavior will likely
+remain in future Bison releases.
+
+@item While Bison is able to remove unreachable states, it is not guaranteed to
+remove other kinds of useless states.
+Specifically, when Bison disables reduce actions during conflict resolution,
+some goto actions may become useless, and thus some additional states may
+become useless.
+If Bison were to compute which goto actions were useless and then disable those
+actions, it could identify such states as unreachable and then remove those
+states.
+However, Bison does not compute which goto actions are useless.
+@end itemize
@end itemize
-@ignore
-@item imports
-@findex %code imports
+
+@c ================================================== lr.type
+
+@item lr.type
+@findex %define lr.type
+@cindex LALR
+@cindex IELR
+@cindex LR
@itemize @bullet
-@item Language(s): Java
+@item Language(s): all
-@item Purpose: This is the best place to write Java import directives.
+@item Purpose: Specify the type of parser tables within the
+LR(1) family.
+(This feature is experimental.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
-@item Location(s): The parser Java file after any Java package directive and
-before any class definitions.
+@item Accepted Values:
+@itemize
+@item @code{lalr}.
+While Bison generates LALR parser tables by default for
+historical reasons, IELR or canonical LR is almost
+always preferable for deterministic parsers.
+The trouble is that LALR parser tables can suffer from
+mysterious conflicts and thus may not accept the full set of sentences
+that IELR and canonical LR accept.
+@xref{Mystery Conflicts}, for details.
+However, there are at least two scenarios where LALR may be
+worthwhile:
+@itemize
+@cindex GLR with LALR
+@item When employing GLR parsers (@pxref{GLR Parsers}), if you
+do not resolve any conflicts statically (for example, with @code{%left}
+or @code{%prec}), then the parser explores all potential parses of any
+given input.
+In this case, the use of LALR parser tables is guaranteed not
+to alter the language accepted by the parser.
+LALR parser tables are the smallest parser tables Bison can
+currently generate, so they may be preferable.
+Nevertheless, once you begin to resolve conflicts statically,
+GLR begins to behave more like a deterministic parser, and so
+IELR and canonical LR can be helpful to avoid
+LALR's mysterious behavior.
+
+@item Occasionally during development, an especially malformed grammar
+with a major recurring flaw may severely impede the IELR or
+canonical LR parser table generation algorithm.
+LALR can be a quick way to generate parser tables in order to
+investigate such problems while ignoring the more subtle differences
+from IELR and canonical LR.
@end itemize
-@end ignore
+
+@item @code{ielr}.
+IELR is a minimal LR algorithm.
+That is, given any grammar (LR or non-LR),
+IELR and canonical LR always accept exactly the same
+set of sentences.
+However, as for LALR, the number of parser states is often an
+order of magnitude less for IELR than for canonical
+LR.
+More importantly, because canonical LR's extra parser states
+may contain duplicate conflicts in the case of non-LR
+grammars, the number of conflicts for IELR is often an order
+of magnitude less as well.
+This can significantly reduce the complexity of developing of a grammar.
+
+@item @code{canonical-lr}.
+@cindex delayed syntax errors
+@cindex syntax errors delayed
+@cindex LAC
+@findex %nonassoc
+While inefficient, canonical LR parser tables can be an
+interesting means to explore a grammar because they have a property that
+IELR and LALR tables do not.
+That is, if @code{%nonassoc} is not used and default reductions are left
+disabled (@pxref{Decl Summary,,lr.default-reductions}), then, for every
+left context of every canonical LR state, the set of tokens
+accepted by that state is guaranteed to be the exact set of tokens that
+is syntactically acceptable in that left context.
+It might then seem that an advantage of canonical LR parsers
+in production is that, under the above constraints, they are guaranteed
+to detect a syntax error as soon as possible without performing any
+unnecessary reductions.
+However, IELR parsers using LAC (@pxref{Decl
+Summary,,parse.lac}) are also able to achieve this behavior without
+sacrificing @code{%nonassoc} or default reductions.
@end itemize
-(Like all the Yacc prologue alternatives, this directive is experimental.
-More user feedback will help to determine whether it should become a permanent
-feature.)
+@item Default Value: @code{lalr}
+@end itemize
-@cindex Prologue
-For a detailed discussion of how to use @code{%code} in place of the
-traditional Yacc prologue for C/C++, see @ref{Prologue Alternatives}.
-@end deffn
+@item namespace
+@findex %define namespace
-@deffn {Directive} %debug
-In the parser file, define the macro @code{YYDEBUG} to 1 if it is not
-already defined, so that the debugging facilities are compiled.
-@end deffn
-@xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
+@itemize
+@item Languages(s): C++
+
+@item Purpose: Specify the namespace for the parser class.
+For example, if you specify:
+
+@smallexample
+%define namespace "foo::bar"
+@end smallexample
+
+Bison uses @code{foo::bar} verbatim in references such as:
+
+@smallexample
+foo::bar::parser::semantic_type
+@end smallexample
+
+However, to open a namespace, Bison removes any leading @code{::} and then
+splits on any remaining occurrences:
+
+@smallexample
+namespace foo @{ namespace bar @{
+ class position;
+ class location;
+@} @}
+@end smallexample
+
+@item Accepted Values: Any absolute or relative C++ namespace reference without
+a trailing @code{"::"}.
+For example, @code{"foo"} or @code{"::foo::bar"}.
+
+@item Default Value: The value specified by @code{%name-prefix}, which defaults
+to @code{yy}.
+This usage of @code{%name-prefix} is for backward compatibility and can be
+confusing since @code{%name-prefix} also specifies the textual prefix for the
+lexical analyzer function.
+Thus, if you specify @code{%name-prefix}, it is best to also specify
+@code{%define namespace} so that @code{%name-prefix} @emph{only} affects the
+lexical analyzer function.
+For example, if you specify:
+
+@smallexample
+%define namespace "foo"
+%name-prefix "bar::"
+@end smallexample
+
+The parser namespace is @code{foo} and @code{yylex} is referenced as
+@code{bar::lex}.
+@end itemize
+
+@c ================================================== parse.lac
+@item parse.lac
+@findex %define parse.lac
+@cindex LAC
+@cindex lookahead correction
+
+@itemize
+@item Languages(s): C
+
+@item Purpose: Enable LAC (lookahead correction) to improve
+syntax error handling.
+
+Canonical LR, IELR, and LALR can suffer
+from a couple of problems upon encountering a syntax error. First, the
+parser might perform additional parser stack reductions before
+discovering the syntax error. Such reductions perform user semantic
+actions that are unexpected because they are based on an invalid token,
+and they cause error recovery to begin in a different syntactic context
+than the one in which the invalid token was encountered. Second, when
+verbose error messages are enabled (with @code{%error-verbose} or
+@code{#define YYERROR_VERBOSE}), the expected token list in the syntax
+error message can both contain invalid tokens and omit valid tokens.
+
+The culprits for the above problems are @code{%nonassoc}, default
+reductions in inconsistent states, and parser state merging. Thus,
+IELR and LALR suffer the most. Canonical
+LR can suffer only if @code{%nonassoc} is used or if default
+reductions are enabled for inconsistent states.
+
+LAC is a new mechanism within the parsing algorithm that
+completely solves these problems for canonical LR,
+IELR, and LALR without sacrificing @code{%nonassoc},
+default reductions, or state mering. Conceptually, the mechanism is
+straight-forward. Whenever the parser fetches a new token from the
+scanner so that it can determine the next parser action, it immediately
+suspends normal parsing and performs an exploratory parse using a
+temporary copy of the normal parser state stack. During this
+exploratory parse, the parser does not perform user semantic actions.
+If the exploratory parse reaches a shift action, normal parsing then
+resumes on the normal parser stacks. If the exploratory parse reaches
+an error instead, the parser reports a syntax error. If verbose syntax
+error messages are enabled, the parser must then discover the list of
+expected tokens, so it performs a separate exploratory parse for each
+token in the grammar.
+
+There is one subtlety about the use of LAC. That is, when in
+a consistent parser state with a default reduction, the parser will not
+attempt to fetch a token from the scanner because no lookahead is needed
+to determine the next parser action. Thus, whether default reductions
+are enabled in consistent states (@pxref{Decl
+Summary,,lr.default-reductions}) affects how soon the parser detects a
+syntax error: when it @emph{reaches} an erroneous token or when it
+eventually @emph{needs} that token as a lookahead. The latter behavior
+is probably more intuitive, so Bison currently provides no way to
+achieve the former behavior while default reductions are fully enabled.
+
+Thus, when LAC is in use, for some fixed decision of whether
+to enable default reductions in consistent states, canonical
+LR and IELR behave exactly the same for both
+syntactically acceptable and syntactically unacceptable input. While
+LALR still does not support the full language-recognition
+power of canonical LR and IELR, LAC at
+least enables LALR's syntax error handling to correctly
+reflect LALR's language-recognition power.
+
+Because LAC requires many parse actions to be performed twice,
+it can have a performance penalty. However, not all parse actions must
+be performed twice. Specifically, during a series of default reductions
+in consistent states and shift actions, the parser never has to initiate
+an exploratory parse. Moreover, the most time-consuming tasks in a
+parse are often the file I/O, the lexical analysis performed by the
+scanner, and the user's semantic actions, but none of these are
+performed during the exploratory parse. Finally, the base of the
+temporary stack used during an exploratory parse is a pointer into the
+normal parser state stack so that the stack is never physically copied.
+In our experience, the performance penalty of LAC has proven
+insignificant for practical grammars.
+
+@item Accepted Values: @code{none}, @code{full}
+
+@item Default Value: @code{none}
+@end itemize
+@end itemize
-@deffn {Directive} %define @var{define-variable}
-@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{define-variable} @var{value}
-Define a variable to adjust Bison's behavior.
-The list of available variables and their meanings depends on the selected
-target language and/or the parser skeleton (@pxref{Decl Summary,,%language}).
-The @var{value} can be omitted for boolean variables; for
-boolean variables, the skeletons will treat a @var{value} of @samp{0}
-or @samp{false} as the boolean variable being false, and anything else
-as true.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %defines
-Write a header file containing macro definitions for the token type
-names defined in the grammar as well as a few other declarations.
-If the parser output file is named @file{@var{name}.c} then this file
-is named @file{@var{name}.h}.
+Write a parser header file containing macro definitions for the token
+type names defined in the grammar as well as a few other declarations.
+If the parser implementation file is named @file{@var{name}.c} then
+the parser header file is named @file{@var{name}.h}.
-For C parsers, the output header declares @code{YYSTYPE} unless
+For C parsers, the parser header file declares @code{YYSTYPE} unless
@code{YYSTYPE} is already defined as a macro or you have used a
-@code{<@var{type}>} tag without using @code{%union}.
-Therefore, if you are using a @code{%union}
-(@pxref{Multiple Types, ,More Than One Value Type}) with components that
-require other definitions, or if you have defined a @code{YYSTYPE} macro
-or type definition
-(@pxref{Value Type, ,Data Types of Semantic Values}), you need to
-arrange for these definitions to be propagated to all modules, e.g., by
-putting them in a prerequisite header that is included both by your
-parser and by any other module that needs @code{YYSTYPE}.
-
-Unless your parser is pure, the output header declares @code{yylval}
-as an external variable. @xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant)
-Parser}.
-
-If you have also used locations, the output header declares
+@code{<@var{type}>} tag without using @code{%union}. Therefore, if
+you are using a @code{%union} (@pxref{Multiple Types, ,More Than One
+Value Type}) with components that require other definitions, or if you
+have defined a @code{YYSTYPE} macro or type definition (@pxref{Value
+Type, ,Data Types of Semantic Values}), you need to arrange for these
+definitions to be propagated to all modules, e.g., by putting them in
+a prerequisite header that is included both by your parser and by any
+other module that needs @code{YYSTYPE}.
+
+Unless your parser is pure, the parser header file declares
+@code{yylval} as an external variable. @xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure
+(Reentrant) Parser}.
+
+If you have also used locations, the parser header file declares
@code{YYLTYPE} and @code{yylloc} using a protocol similar to that of
-the @code{YYSTYPE} macro and @code{yylval}. @xref{Locations, ,Tracking
-Locations}.
+the @code{YYSTYPE} macro and @code{yylval}. @xref{Locations,
+,Tracking Locations}.
-This output file is normally essential if you wish to put the definition
-of @code{yylex} in a separate source file, because @code{yylex}
-typically needs to be able to refer to the above-mentioned declarations
-and to the token type codes. @xref{Token Values, ,Semantic Values of
-Tokens}.
+This parser header file is normally essential if you wish to put the
+definition of @code{yylex} in a separate source file, because
+@code{yylex} typically needs to be able to refer to the
+above-mentioned declarations and to the token type codes. @xref{Token
+Values, ,Semantic Values of Tokens}.
@findex %code requires
@findex %code provides
If you have declared @code{%code requires} or @code{%code provides}, the output
header also contains their code.
-@xref{Decl Summary, ,%code}.
+@xref{%code Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %defines @var{defines-file}
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %file-prefix "@var{prefix}"
-Specify a prefix to use for all Bison output file names. The names are
-chosen as if the input file were named @file{@var{prefix}.y}.
+Specify a prefix to use for all Bison output file names. The names
+are chosen as if the grammar file were named @file{@var{prefix}.y}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %language "@var{language}"
Specify the programming language for the generated parser. Currently
-supported languages include C and C++.
+supported languages include C, C++, and Java.
@var{language} is case-insensitive.
+
+This directive is experimental and its effect may be modified in future
+releases.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %locations
in C parsers
is @code{yyparse}, @code{yylex}, @code{yyerror}, @code{yynerrs},
@code{yylval}, @code{yychar}, @code{yydebug}, and
-(if locations are used) @code{yylloc}. For example, if you use
-@samp{%name-prefix "c_"}, the names become @code{c_parse}, @code{c_lex},
-and so on. In C++ parsers, it is only the surrounding namespace which is
-named @var{prefix} instead of @samp{yy}.
+(if locations are used) @code{yylloc}. If you use a push parser,
+@code{yypush_parse}, @code{yypull_parse}, @code{yypstate},
+@code{yypstate_new} and @code{yypstate_delete} will
+also be renamed. For example, if you use @samp{%name-prefix "c_"}, the
+names become @code{c_parse}, @code{c_lex}, and so on.
+For C++ parsers, see the @code{%define namespace} documentation in this
+section.
@xref{Multiple Parsers, ,Multiple Parsers in the Same Program}.
@end deffn
@end deffn
@end ifset
-@deffn {Directive} %no-parser
-Do not include any C code in the parser file; generate tables only. The
-parser file contains just @code{#define} directives and static variable
-declarations.
-
-This option also tells Bison to write the C code for the grammar actions
-into a file named @file{@var{file}.act}, in the form of a
-brace-surrounded body fit for a @code{switch} statement.
-@end deffn
-
@deffn {Directive} %no-lines
Don't generate any @code{#line} preprocessor commands in the parser
-file. Ordinarily Bison writes these commands in the parser file so that
-the C compiler and debuggers will associate errors and object code with
-your source file (the grammar file). This directive causes them to
-associate errors with the parser file, treating it an independent source
-file in its own right.
+implementation file. Ordinarily Bison writes these commands in the
+parser implementation file so that the C compiler and debuggers will
+associate errors and object code with your source file (the grammar
+file). This directive causes them to associate errors with the parser
+implementation file, treating it as an independent source file in its
+own right.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %output "@var{file}"
-Specify @var{file} for the parser file.
+Specify @var{file} for the parser implementation file.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %pure-parser
-Request a pure (reentrant) parser program (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure
-(Reentrant) Parser}).
+Deprecated version of @code{%define api.pure} (@pxref{Decl Summary, ,%define}),
+for which Bison is more careful to warn about unreasonable usage.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %require "@var{version}"
@deffn {Directive} %skeleton "@var{file}"
Specify the skeleton to use.
-You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
-You should use @code{%language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
-different language, because it is clearer and because it will always choose the
-correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
+@c You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
+@c You should use @code{%language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
+@c different language, because it is clearer and because it will always choose the
+@c correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
If @var{file} does not contain a @code{/}, @var{file} is the name of a skeleton
file in the Bison installation directory.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %token-table
-Generate an array of token names in the parser file. The name of the
-array is @code{yytname}; @code{yytname[@var{i}]} is the name of the
-token whose internal Bison token code number is @var{i}. The first
-three elements of @code{yytname} correspond to the predefined tokens
-@code{"$end"},
-@code{"error"}, and @code{"$undefined"}; after these come the symbols
-defined in the grammar file.
+Generate an array of token names in the parser implementation file.
+The name of the array is @code{yytname}; @code{yytname[@var{i}]} is
+the name of the token whose internal Bison token code number is
+@var{i}. The first three elements of @code{yytname} correspond to the
+predefined tokens @code{"$end"}, @code{"error"}, and
+@code{"$undefined"}; after these come the symbols defined in the
+grammar file.
The name in the table includes all the characters needed to represent
the token in Bison. For single-character literals and literal
information.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Directive} %yacc
-Pretend the option @option{--yacc} was given, i.e., imitate Yacc,
-including its naming conventions. @xref{Bison Options}, for more.
+@deffn {Directive} %yacc
+Pretend the option @option{--yacc} was given, i.e., imitate Yacc,
+including its naming conventions. @xref{Bison Options}, for more.
+@end deffn
+
+@node %code Summary
+@subsection %code Summary
+@deffn {Directive} %code @{@var{code}@}
+@findex %code
+This is the unqualified form of the @code{%code} directive.
+It inserts @var{code} verbatim at a language-dependent default location in the
+output@footnote{The default location is actually skeleton-dependent;
+ writers of non-standard skeletons however should choose the default location
+ consistently with the behavior of the standard Bison skeletons.}.
+
+@cindex Prologue
+For C/C++, the default location is the parser implementation file
+after the usual contents of the parser header file. Thus,
+@code{%code} replaces the traditional Yacc prologue,
+@code{%@{@var{code}%@}}, for most purposes. For a detailed
+discussion, see @ref{Prologue Alternatives}.
+
+For Java, the default location is inside the parser class.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %code @var{qualifier} @{@var{code}@}
+This is the qualified form of the @code{%code} directive.
+If you need to specify location-sensitive verbatim @var{code} that does not
+belong at the default location selected by the unqualified @code{%code} form,
+use this form instead.
+
+@var{qualifier} identifies the purpose of @var{code} and thus the location(s)
+where Bison should generate it.
+Not all @var{qualifier}s are accepted for all target languages.
+Unaccepted @var{qualifier}s produce an error.
+Some of the accepted @var{qualifier}s are:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item requires
+@findex %code requires
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C, C++
+
+@item Purpose: This is the best place to write dependency code required for
+@code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}.
+In other words, it's the best place to define types referenced in @code{%union}
+directives, and it's the best place to override Bison's default @code{YYSTYPE}
+and @code{YYLTYPE} definitions.
+
+@item Location(s): The parser header file and the parser implementation file
+before the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}
+definitions.
+@end itemize
+
+@item provides
+@findex %code provides
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C, C++
+
+@item Purpose: This is the best place to write additional definitions and
+declarations that should be provided to other modules.
+
+@item Location(s): The parser header file and the parser implementation
+file after the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE}, @code{YYLTYPE}, and
+token definitions.
+@end itemize
+
+@item top
+@findex %code top
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C, C++
+
+@item Purpose: The unqualified @code{%code} or @code{%code requires}
+should usually be more appropriate than @code{%code top}. However,
+occasionally it is necessary to insert code much nearer the top of the
+parser implementation file. For example:
+
+@smallexample
+%code top @{
+ #define _GNU_SOURCE
+ #include <stdio.h>
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+@item Location(s): Near the top of the parser implementation file.
+@end itemize
+
+@item imports
+@findex %code imports
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): Java
+
+@item Purpose: This is the best place to write Java import directives.
+
+@item Location(s): The parser Java file after any Java package directive and
+before any class definitions.
+@end itemize
+@end itemize
+
+@cindex Prologue
+For a detailed discussion of how to use @code{%code} in place of the
+traditional Yacc prologue for C/C++, see @ref{Prologue Alternatives}.
@end deffn
The precise list of symbols renamed is @code{yyparse}, @code{yylex},
@code{yyerror}, @code{yynerrs}, @code{yylval}, @code{yylloc},
-@code{yychar} and @code{yydebug}. For example, if you use @samp{-p c},
-the names become @code{cparse}, @code{clex}, and so on.
+@code{yychar} and @code{yydebug}. If you use a push parser,
+@code{yypush_parse}, @code{yypull_parse}, @code{yypstate},
+@code{yypstate_new} and @code{yypstate_delete} will also be renamed.
+For example, if you use @samp{-p c}, the names become @code{cparse},
+@code{clex}, and so on.
@strong{All the other variables and macros associated with Bison are not
renamed.} These others are not global; there is no conflict if the same
renamed, but defining this in different ways in different parsers causes
no trouble (@pxref{Value Type, ,Data Types of Semantic Values}).
-The @samp{-p} option works by adding macro definitions to the beginning
-of the parser source file, defining @code{yyparse} as
-@code{@var{prefix}parse}, and so on. This effectively substitutes one
-name for the other in the entire parser file.
+The @samp{-p} option works by adding macro definitions to the
+beginning of the parser implementation file, defining @code{yyparse}
+as @code{@var{prefix}parse}, and so on. This effectively substitutes
+one name for the other in the entire parser implementation file.
@node Interface
@chapter Parser C-Language Interface
in the grammar file, you are likely to run into trouble.
@menu
-* Parser Function:: How to call @code{yyparse} and what it returns.
-* Lexical:: You must supply a function @code{yylex}
- which reads tokens.
-* Error Reporting:: You must supply a function @code{yyerror}.
-* Action Features:: Special features for use in actions.
-* Internationalization:: How to let the parser speak in the user's
- native language.
+* Parser Function:: How to call @code{yyparse} and what it returns.
+* Push Parser Function:: How to call @code{yypush_parse} and what it returns.
+* Pull Parser Function:: How to call @code{yypull_parse} and what it returns.
+* Parser Create Function:: How to call @code{yypstate_new} and what it returns.
+* Parser Delete Function:: How to call @code{yypstate_delete} and what it returns.
+* Lexical:: You must supply a function @code{yylex}
+ which reads tokens.
+* Error Reporting:: You must supply a function @code{yyerror}.
+* Action Features:: Special features for use in actions.
+* Internationalization:: How to let the parser speak in the user's
+ native language.
@end menu
@node Parser Function
exp: @dots{} @{ @dots{}; *randomness += 1; @dots{} @}
@end example
+@node Push Parser Function
+@section The Push Parser Function @code{yypush_parse}
+@findex yypush_parse
+
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+You call the function @code{yypush_parse} to parse a single token. This
+function is available if either the @code{%define api.push-pull push} or
+@code{%define api.push-pull both} declaration is used.
+@xref{Push Decl, ,A Push Parser}.
+
+@deftypefun int yypush_parse (yypstate *yyps)
+The value returned by @code{yypush_parse} is the same as for yyparse with the
+following exception. @code{yypush_parse} will return YYPUSH_MORE if more input
+is required to finish parsing the grammar.
+@end deftypefun
+
+@node Pull Parser Function
+@section The Pull Parser Function @code{yypull_parse}
+@findex yypull_parse
+
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+You call the function @code{yypull_parse} to parse the rest of the input
+stream. This function is available if the @code{%define api.push-pull both}
+declaration is used.
+@xref{Push Decl, ,A Push Parser}.
+
+@deftypefun int yypull_parse (yypstate *yyps)
+The value returned by @code{yypull_parse} is the same as for @code{yyparse}.
+@end deftypefun
+
+@node Parser Create Function
+@section The Parser Create Function @code{yystate_new}
+@findex yypstate_new
+
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+You call the function @code{yypstate_new} to create a new parser instance.
+This function is available if either the @code{%define api.push-pull push} or
+@code{%define api.push-pull both} declaration is used.
+@xref{Push Decl, ,A Push Parser}.
+
+@deftypefun yypstate *yypstate_new (void)
+The function will return a valid parser instance if there was memory available
+or 0 if no memory was available.
+In impure mode, it will also return 0 if a parser instance is currently
+allocated.
+@end deftypefun
+
+@node Parser Delete Function
+@section The Parser Delete Function @code{yystate_delete}
+@findex yypstate_delete
+
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+You call the function @code{yypstate_delete} to delete a parser instance.
+function is available if either the @code{%define api.push-pull push} or
+@code{%define api.push-pull both} declaration is used.
+@xref{Push Decl, ,A Push Parser}.
+
+@deftypefun void yypstate_delete (yypstate *yyps)
+This function will reclaim the memory associated with a parser instance.
+After this call, you should no longer attempt to use the parser instance.
+@end deftypefun
@node Lexical
@section The Lexical Analyzer Function @code{yylex}
this function automatically; you must write it so that @code{yyparse} can
call it. The function is sometimes referred to as a lexical scanner.
-In simple programs, @code{yylex} is often defined at the end of the Bison
-grammar file. If @code{yylex} is defined in a separate source file, you
-need to arrange for the token-type macro definitions to be available there.
-To do this, use the @samp{-d} option when you run Bison, so that it will
-write these macro definitions into a separate header file
-@file{@var{name}.tab.h} which you can include in the other source files
-that need it. @xref{Invocation, ,Invoking Bison}.
+In simple programs, @code{yylex} is often defined at the end of the
+Bison grammar file. If @code{yylex} is defined in a separate source
+file, you need to arrange for the token-type macro definitions to be
+available there. To do this, use the @samp{-d} option when you run
+Bison, so that it will write these macro definitions into the separate
+parser header file, @file{@var{name}.tab.h}, which you can include in
+the other source files that need it. @xref{Invocation, ,Invoking
+Bison}.
@menu
* Calling Convention:: How @code{yyparse} calls @code{yylex}.
-* Token Values:: How @code{yylex} must return the semantic value
- of the token it has read.
-* Token Locations:: How @code{yylex} must return the text location
- (line number, etc.) of the token, if the
- actions want that.
-* Pure Calling:: How the calling convention differs
- in a pure parser (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}).
+* Token Values:: How @code{yylex} must return the semantic value
+ of the token it has read.
+* Token Locations:: How @code{yylex} must return the text location
+ (line number, etc.) of the token, if the
+ actions want that.
+* Pure Calling:: How the calling convention differs in a pure parser
+ (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}).
@end menu
@node Calling Convention
signifies end-of-input.
When a token is referred to in the grammar rules by a name, that name
-in the parser file becomes a C macro whose definition is the proper
-numeric code for that token type. So @code{yylex} can use the name
-to indicate that type. @xref{Symbols}.
+in the parser implementation file becomes a C macro whose definition
+is the proper numeric code for that token type. So @code{yylex} can
+use the name to indicate that type. @xref{Symbols}.
When a token is referred to in the grammar rules by a character literal,
the numeric code for that character is also the code for the token type.
@node Pure Calling
@subsection Calling Conventions for Pure Parsers
-When you use the Bison declaration @code{%pure-parser} to request a
+When you use the Bison declaration @code{%define api.pure} to request a
pure, reentrant parser, the global communication variables @code{yylval}
and @code{yylloc} cannot be used. (@xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant)
Parser}.) In such parsers the two global variables are replaced by
int yyparse (int *nastiness, int *randomness);
@end example
-If @code{%pure-parser} is added:
+If @code{%define api.pure} is added:
@example
int yylex (YYSTYPE *lvalp, int *nastiness);
@end example
@noindent
-and finally, if both @code{%pure-parser} and @code{%locations} are used:
+and finally, if both @code{%define api.pure} and @code{%locations} are used:
@example
int yylex (YYSTYPE *lvalp, YYLTYPE *llocp, int *nastiness);
Obviously, in location tracking pure parsers, @code{yyerror} should have
an access to the current location.
-This is indeed the case for the @acronym{GLR}
+This is indeed the case for the GLR
parsers, but not for the Yacc parser, for historical reasons. I.e., if
-@samp{%locations %pure-parser} is passed then the prototypes for
+@samp{%locations %define api.pure} is passed then the prototypes for
@code{yyerror} are:
@example
void yyerror (int *nastiness, char const *msg); /* GLR parsers. */
@end example
-Finally, @acronym{GLR} and Yacc parsers share the same @code{yyerror} calling
+Finally, GLR and Yacc parsers share the same @code{yyerror} calling
convention for absolutely pure parsers, i.e., when the calling
convention of @code{yylex} @emph{and} the calling convention of
-@code{%pure-parser} are pure. I.e.:
+@code{%define api.pure} are pure.
+I.e.:
@example
/* Location tracking. */
%locations
/* Pure yylex. */
-%pure-parser
+%define api.pure
%lex-param @{int *nastiness@}
/* Pure yyparse. */
%parse-param @{int *nastiness@}
@findex YYBACKUP
Unshift a token. This macro is allowed only for rules that reduce
a single value, and only when there is no lookahead token.
-It is also disallowed in @acronym{GLR} parsers.
+It is also disallowed in GLR parsers.
It installs a lookahead token with token type @var{token} and
semantic value @var{value}; then it discards the value that was
going to be reduced by this rule.
make this work, the user should set the usual environment variables.
@xref{Users, , The User's View, gettext, GNU @code{gettext} utilities}.
For example, the shell command @samp{export LC_ALL=fr_CA.UTF-8} might
-set the user's locale to French Canadian using the @acronym{UTF}-8
+set the user's locale to French Canadian using the UTF-8
encoding. The exact set of available locales depends on the user's
installation.
The maintainer of a package that uses a Bison-generated parser enables
the internationalization of the parser's output through the following
-steps. Here we assume a package that uses @acronym{GNU} Autoconf and
-@acronym{GNU} Automake.
+steps. Here we assume a package that uses GNU Autoconf and
+GNU Automake.
@enumerate
@item
@cindex bison-i18n.m4
-Into the directory containing the @acronym{GNU} Autoconf macros used
+Into the directory containing the GNU Autoconf macros used
by the package---often called @file{m4}---copy the
@file{bison-i18n.m4} file installed by Bison under
@samp{share/aclocal/bison-i18n.m4} in Bison's installation directory.
* Contextual Precedence:: When an operator's precedence depends on context.
* Parser States:: The parser is a finite-state-machine with stack.
* Reduce/Reduce:: When two rules are applicable in the same situation.
-* Mystery Conflicts:: Reduce/reduce conflicts that look unjustified.
+* Mystery Conflicts:: Reduce/reduce conflicts that look unjustified.
* Generalized LR Parsing:: Parsing arbitrary context-free grammars.
* Memory Management:: What happens when memory is exhausted. How to avoid it.
@end menu
Algol 60 and is called the ``dangling @code{else}'' ambiguity.
To avoid warnings from Bison about predictable, legitimate shift/reduce
-conflicts, use the @code{%expect @var{n}} declaration. There will be no
-warning as long as the number of shift/reduce conflicts is exactly @var{n}.
+conflicts, use the @code{%expect @var{n}} declaration.
+There will be no warning as long as the number of shift/reduce conflicts
+is exactly @var{n}, and Bison will report an error if there is a
+different number.
@xref{Expect Decl, ,Suppressing Conflict Warnings}.
The definition of @code{if_stmt} above is solely to blame for the
conflict, but the conflict does not actually appear without additional
-rules. Here is a complete Bison input file that actually manifests the
-conflict:
+rules. Here is a complete Bison grammar file that actually manifests
+the conflict:
@example
@group
It would seem that this grammar can be parsed with only a single token
of lookahead: when a @code{param_spec} is being read, an @code{ID} is
a @code{name} if a comma or colon follows, or a @code{type} if another
-@code{ID} follows. In other words, this grammar is @acronym{LR}(1).
-
-@cindex @acronym{LR}(1)
-@cindex @acronym{LALR}(1)
-However, Bison, like most parser generators, cannot actually handle all
-@acronym{LR}(1) grammars. In this grammar, two contexts, that after
-an @code{ID}
-at the beginning of a @code{param_spec} and likewise at the beginning of
-a @code{return_spec}, are similar enough that Bison assumes they are the
-same. They appear similar because the same set of rules would be
+@code{ID} follows. In other words, this grammar is LR(1).
+
+@cindex LR(1)
+@cindex LALR(1)
+However, for historical reasons, Bison cannot by default handle all
+LR(1) grammars.
+In this grammar, two contexts, that after an @code{ID} at the beginning
+of a @code{param_spec} and likewise at the beginning of a
+@code{return_spec}, are similar enough that Bison assumes they are the
+same.
+They appear similar because the same set of rules would be
active---the rule for reducing to a @code{name} and that for reducing to
a @code{type}. Bison is unable to determine at that stage of processing
that the rules would require different lookahead tokens in the two
contexts, so it makes a single parser state for them both. Combining
the two contexts causes a conflict later. In parser terminology, this
-occurrence means that the grammar is not @acronym{LALR}(1).
-
-In general, it is better to fix deficiencies than to document them. But
-this particular deficiency is intrinsically hard to fix; parser
-generators that can handle @acronym{LR}(1) grammars are hard to write
-and tend to
-produce parsers that are very large. In practice, Bison is more useful
-as it is now.
-
-When the problem arises, you can often fix it by identifying the two
-parser states that are being confused, and adding something to make them
-look distinct. In the above example, adding one rule to
+occurrence means that the grammar is not LALR(1).
+
+For many practical grammars (specifically those that fall into the
+non-LR(1) class), the limitations of LALR(1) result in
+difficulties beyond just mysterious reduce/reduce conflicts.
+The best way to fix all these problems is to select a different parser
+table generation algorithm.
+Either IELR(1) or canonical LR(1) would suffice, but
+the former is more efficient and easier to debug during development.
+@xref{Decl Summary,,lr.type}, for details.
+(Bison's IELR(1) and canonical LR(1) implementations
+are experimental.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize them.)
+
+If you instead wish to work around LALR(1)'s limitations, you
+can often fix a mysterious conflict by identifying the two parser states
+that are being confused, and adding something to make them look
+distinct. In the above example, adding one rule to
@code{return_spec} as follows makes the problem go away:
@example
;
@end example
-For a more detailed exposition of @acronym{LALR}(1) parsers and parser
+For a more detailed exposition of LALR(1) parsers and parser
generators, please see:
Frank DeRemer and Thomas Pennello, Efficient Computation of
-@acronym{LALR}(1) Look-Ahead Sets, @cite{@acronym{ACM} Transactions on
+LALR(1) Look-Ahead Sets, @cite{ACM Transactions on
Programming Languages and Systems}, Vol.@: 4, No.@: 4 (October 1982),
pp.@: 615--649 @uref{http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/69622.357187}.
@node Generalized LR Parsing
-@section Generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) Parsing
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing
+@section Generalized LR (GLR) Parsing
+@cindex GLR parsing
+@cindex generalized LR (GLR) parsing
@cindex ambiguous grammars
@cindex nondeterministic parsing
lookahead, since the parser lacks the information necessary to make a
decision at the point it must be made in a shift-reduce parser.
Finally, as previously mentioned (@pxref{Mystery Conflicts}),
-there are languages where Bison's particular choice of how to
+there are languages where Bison's default choice of how to
summarize the input seen so far loses necessary information.
When you use the @samp{%glr-parser} declaration in your grammar file,
Bison generates a parser that uses a different algorithm, called
-Generalized @acronym{LR} (or @acronym{GLR}). A Bison @acronym{GLR}
+Generalized LR (or GLR). A Bison GLR
parser uses the same basic
algorithm for parsing as an ordinary Bison parser, but behaves
differently in cases where there is a shift-reduce conflict that has not
been resolved by precedence rules (@pxref{Precedence}) or a
-reduce-reduce conflict. When a @acronym{GLR} parser encounters such a
+reduce-reduce conflict. When a GLR parser encounters such a
situation, it
effectively @emph{splits} into a several parsers, one for each possible
shift or reduction. These parsers then proceed as usual, consuming
tokens in lock-step. Some of the stacks may encounter other conflicts
and split further, with the result that instead of a sequence of states,
-a Bison @acronym{GLR} parsing stack is what is in effect a tree of states.
+a Bison GLR parsing stack is what is in effect a tree of states.
In effect, each stack represents a guess as to what the proper parse
is. Additional input may indicate that a guess was wrong, in which case
stream.
Whenever the parser makes a transition from having multiple
-states to having one, it reverts to the normal @acronym{LALR}(1) parsing
+states to having one, it reverts to the normal deterministic parsing
algorithm, after resolving and executing the saved-up actions.
At this transition, some of the states on the stack will have semantic
values that are sets (actually multisets) of possible actions. The
Bison resolves and evaluates both and then calls the merge function on
the result. Otherwise, it reports an ambiguity.
-It is possible to use a data structure for the @acronym{GLR} parsing tree that
-permits the processing of any @acronym{LALR}(1) grammar in linear time (in the
+It is possible to use a data structure for the GLR parsing tree that
+permits the processing of any LR(1) grammar in linear time (in the
size of the input), any unambiguous (not necessarily
-@acronym{LALR}(1)) grammar in
+LR(1)) grammar in
quadratic worst-case time, and any general (possibly ambiguous)
context-free grammar in cubic worst-case time. However, Bison currently
uses a simpler data structure that requires time proportional to the
behaving examples, however, are not generally of practical interest.
Usually, nondeterminism in a grammar is local---the parser is ``in
doubt'' only for a few tokens at a time. Therefore, the current data
-structure should generally be adequate. On @acronym{LALR}(1) portions of a
-grammar, in particular, it is only slightly slower than with the default
-Bison parser.
+structure should generally be adequate. On LR(1) portions of a
+grammar, in particular, it is only slightly slower than with the
+deterministic LR(1) Bison parser.
-For a more detailed exposition of @acronym{GLR} parsers, please see: Elizabeth
+For a more detailed exposition of GLR parsers, please see: Elizabeth
Scott, Adrian Johnstone and Shamsa Sadaf Hussain, Tomita-Style
-Generalised @acronym{LR} Parsers, Royal Holloway, University of
+Generalised LR Parsers, Royal Holloway, University of
London, Department of Computer Science, TR-00-12,
@uref{http://www.cs.rhul.ac.uk/research/languages/publications/tomita_style_1.ps},
(2000-12-24).
@vindex YYINITDEPTH
You can control how much stack is allocated initially by defining the
-macro @code{YYINITDEPTH} to a positive integer. For the C
-@acronym{LALR}(1) parser, this value must be a compile-time constant
+macro @code{YYINITDEPTH} to a positive integer. For the deterministic
+parser in C, this value must be a compile-time constant
unless you are assuming C99 or some other target language or compiler
that allows variable-length arrays. The default is 200.
Do not allow @code{YYINITDEPTH} to be greater than @code{YYMAXDEPTH}.
@c FIXME: C++ output.
-Because of semantical differences between C and C++, the
-@acronym{LALR}(1) parsers in C produced by Bison cannot grow when compiled
+Because of semantic differences between C and C++, the deterministic
+parsers in C produced by Bison cannot grow when compiled
by C++ compilers. In this precise case (compiling a C parser as C++) you are
suggested to grow @code{YYINITDEPTH}. The Bison maintainers hope to fix
this deficiency in a future release.
name, then this is actually a declaration of @code{x}. How can a Bison
parser for C decide how to parse this input?
-The method used in @acronym{GNU} C is to have two different token types,
+The method used in GNU C is to have two different token types,
@code{IDENTIFIER} and @code{TYPENAME}. When @code{yylex} finds an
identifier, it looks up the current declaration of the identifier in order
to decide which token type to return: @code{TYPENAME} if the identifier is
it is nonzero, all integers are parsed in hexadecimal, and tokens starting
with letters are parsed as integers if possible.
-The declaration of @code{hexflag} shown in the prologue of the parser file
-is needed to make it accessible to the actions (@pxref{Prologue, ,The Prologue}).
-You must also write the code in @code{yylex} to obey the flag.
+The declaration of @code{hexflag} shown in the prologue of the grammar
+file is needed to make it accessible to the actions (@pxref{Prologue,
+,The Prologue}). You must also write the code in @code{yylex} to obey
+the flag.
@node Tie-in Recovery
@section Lexical Tie-ins and Error Recovery
The textual file is generated when the options @option{--report} or
@option{--verbose} are specified, see @xref{Invocation, , Invoking
Bison}. Its name is made by removing @samp{.tab.c} or @samp{.c} from
-the parser output file name, and adding @samp{.output} instead.
-Therefore, if the input file is @file{foo.y}, then the parser file is
-called @file{foo.tab.c} by default. As a consequence, the verbose
-output file is called @file{foo.output}.
+the parser implementation file name, and adding @samp{.output}
+instead. Therefore, if the grammar file is @file{foo.y}, then the
+parser implementation file is called @file{foo.tab.c} by default. As
+a consequence, the verbose output file is called @file{foo.output}.
The following grammar file, @file{calc.y}, will be used in the sequel:
@command{bison} reports:
@example
-calc.y: warning: 1 useless nonterminal and 1 useless rule
-calc.y:11.1-7: warning: useless nonterminal: useless
-calc.y:11.10-12: warning: useless rule: useless: STR
+calc.y: warning: 1 nonterminal useless in grammar
+calc.y: warning: 1 rule useless in grammar
+calc.y:11.1-7: warning: nonterminal useless in grammar: useless
+calc.y:11.10-12: warning: rule useless in grammar: useless: STR
calc.y: conflicts: 7 shift/reduce
@end example
The next section reports useless tokens, nonterminal and rules. Useless
nonterminals and rules are removed in order to produce a smaller parser,
but useless tokens are preserved, since they might be used by the
-scanner (note the difference between ``useless'' and ``not used''
+scanner (note the difference between ``useless'' and ``unused''
below):
@example
-Useless nonterminals:
+Nonterminals useless in grammar:
useless
-Terminals which are not used:
+Terminals unused in grammar:
STR
-Useless rules:
+Rules useless in grammar:
#6 useless: STR;
@end example
'+' . exp}. Since there is no default action, any other token than
those listed above will trigger a syntax error.
+@cindex accepting state
The state 3 is named the @dfn{final state}, or the @dfn{accepting
state}:
NUM)}, which corresponds to shifting @samp{/}, or as @samp{(NUM + NUM) /
NUM}, which corresponds to reducing rule 1.
-Because in @acronym{LALR}(1) parsing a single decision can be made, Bison
+Because in deterministic parsing a single decision can be made, Bison
arbitrarily chose to disable the reduction, see @ref{Shift/Reduce, ,
Shift/Reduce Conflicts}. Discarded actions are reported in between
square brackets.
@example
state 8
- exp -> exp . '+' exp [$, '+', '-', '/'] (rule 1)
+ exp -> exp . '+' exp (rule 1)
exp -> exp '+' exp . [$, '+', '-', '/'] (rule 1)
exp -> exp . '-' exp (rule 2)
exp -> exp . '*' exp (rule 3)
@item the macro @code{YYDEBUG}
@findex YYDEBUG
Define the macro @code{YYDEBUG} to a nonzero value when you compile the
-parser. This is compliant with @acronym{POSIX} Yacc. You could use
+parser. This is compliant with POSIX Yacc. You could use
@samp{-DYYDEBUG=1} as a compiler option or you could put @samp{#define
YYDEBUG 1} in the prologue of the grammar file (@pxref{Prologue, , The
Prologue}).
@item the option @option{-t}, @option{--debug}
Use the @samp{-t} option when you run Bison (@pxref{Invocation,
-,Invoking Bison}). This is @acronym{POSIX} compliant too.
+,Invoking Bison}). This is POSIX compliant too.
@item the directive @samp{%debug}
@findex %debug
Add the @code{%debug} directive (@pxref{Decl Summary, ,Bison
Declaration Summary}). This is a Bison extension, which will prove
useful when Bison will output parsers for languages that don't use a
-preprocessor. Unless @acronym{POSIX} and Yacc portability matter to
+preprocessor. Unless POSIX and Yacc portability matter to
you, this is
the preferred solution.
@end table
The trace facility outputs messages with macro calls of the form
@code{YYFPRINTF (stderr, @var{format}, @var{args})} where
-@var{format} and @var{args} are the usual @code{printf} format and
+@var{format} and @var{args} are the usual @code{printf} format and variadic
arguments. If you define @code{YYDEBUG} to a nonzero value but do not
define @code{YYFPRINTF}, @code{<stdio.h>} is automatically included
and @code{YYFPRINTF} is defined to @code{fprintf}.
something undesirable happens, and you will see which parts of the
grammar are to blame.
-The parser file is a C program and you can use C debuggers on it, but it's
-not easy to interpret what it is doing. The parser function is a
-finite-state machine interpreter, and aside from the actions it executes
-the same code over and over. Only the values of variables show where in
-the grammar it is working.
+The parser implementation file is a C program and you can use C
+debuggers on it, but it's not easy to interpret what it is doing. The
+parser function is a finite-state machine interpreter, and aside from
+the actions it executes the same code over and over. Only the values
+of variables show where in the grammar it is working.
@findex YYPRINT
The debugging information normally gives the token type of each token
value (from @code{yylval}).
Here is an example of @code{YYPRINT} suitable for the multi-function
-calculator (@pxref{Mfcalc Decl, ,Declarations for @code{mfcalc}}):
+calculator (@pxref{Mfcalc Declarations, ,Declarations for @code{mfcalc}}):
@smallexample
%@{
@end example
Here @var{infile} is the grammar file name, which usually ends in
-@samp{.y}. The parser file's name is made by replacing the @samp{.y}
-with @samp{.tab.c} and removing any leading directory. Thus, the
-@samp{bison foo.y} file name yields
-@file{foo.tab.c}, and the @samp{bison hack/foo.y} file name yields
-@file{foo.tab.c}. It's also possible, in case you are writing
-C++ code instead of C in your grammar file, to name it @file{foo.ypp}
-or @file{foo.y++}. Then, the output files will take an extension like
-the given one as input (respectively @file{foo.tab.cpp} and
-@file{foo.tab.c++}).
-This feature takes effect with all options that manipulate file names like
+@samp{.y}. The parser implementation file's name is made by replacing
+the @samp{.y} with @samp{.tab.c} and removing any leading directory.
+Thus, the @samp{bison foo.y} file name yields @file{foo.tab.c}, and
+the @samp{bison hack/foo.y} file name yields @file{foo.tab.c}. It's
+also possible, in case you are writing C++ code instead of C in your
+grammar file, to name it @file{foo.ypp} or @file{foo.y++}. Then, the
+output files will take an extension like the given one as input
+(respectively @file{foo.tab.cpp} and @file{foo.tab.c++}). This
+feature takes effect with all options that manipulate file names like
@samp{-o} or @samp{-d}.
For example :
@noindent
will produce @file{output.c++} and @file{outfile.h++}.
-For compatibility with @acronym{POSIX}, the standard Bison
+For compatibility with POSIX, the standard Bison
distribution also contains a shell script called @command{yacc} that
invokes Bison with the @option{-y} option.
@item --print-localedir
Print the name of the directory containing locale-dependent data.
+@item --print-datadir
+Print the name of the directory containing skeletons and XSLT.
+
@item -y
@itemx --yacc
-Act more like the traditional Yacc command. This can cause
-different diagnostics to be generated, and may change behavior in
-other minor ways. Most importantly, imitate Yacc's output
-file name conventions, so that the parser output file is called
-@file{y.tab.c}, and the other outputs are called @file{y.output} and
-@file{y.tab.h}.
-Also, if generating an @acronym{LALR}(1) parser in C, generate @code{#define}
-statements in addition to an @code{enum} to associate token numbers with token
-names.
-Thus, the following shell script can substitute for Yacc, and the Bison
-distribution contains such a script for compatibility with @acronym{POSIX}:
+Act more like the traditional Yacc command. This can cause different
+diagnostics to be generated, and may change behavior in other minor
+ways. Most importantly, imitate Yacc's output file name conventions,
+so that the parser implementation file is called @file{y.tab.c}, and
+the other outputs are called @file{y.output} and @file{y.tab.h}.
+Also, if generating a deterministic parser in C, generate
+@code{#define} statements in addition to an @code{enum} to associate
+token numbers with token names. Thus, the following shell script can
+substitute for Yacc, and the Bison distribution contains such a script
+for compatibility with POSIX:
@example
#! /bin/sh
like @samp{%glr-parser}, Bison might not be Yacc-compatible even if
this option is specified.
+@item -W [@var{category}]
+@itemx --warnings[=@var{category}]
+Output warnings falling in @var{category}. @var{category} can be one
+of:
+@table @code
+@item midrule-values
+Warn about mid-rule values that are set but not used within any of the actions
+of the parent rule.
+For example, warn about unused @code{$2} in:
+
+@example
+exp: '1' @{ $$ = 1; @} '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $4; @};
+@end example
+
+Also warn about mid-rule values that are used but not set.
+For example, warn about unset @code{$$} in the mid-rule action in:
+
+@example
+ exp: '1' @{ $1 = 1; @} '+' exp @{ $$ = $2 + $4; @};
+@end example
+
+These warnings are not enabled by default since they sometimes prove to
+be false alarms in existing grammars employing the Yacc constructs
+@code{$0} or @code{$-@var{n}} (where @var{n} is some positive integer).
+
+
+@item yacc
+Incompatibilities with POSIX Yacc.
+
+@item all
+All the warnings.
+@item none
+Turn off all the warnings.
+@item error
+Treat warnings as errors.
+@end table
+
+A category can be turned off by prefixing its name with @samp{no-}. For
+instance, @option{-Wno-yacc} will hide the warnings about
+POSIX Yacc incompatibilities.
@end table
@noindent
@table @option
@item -t
@itemx --debug
-In the parser file, define the macro @code{YYDEBUG} to 1 if it is not
-already defined, so that the debugging facilities are compiled.
-@xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
+In the parser implementation file, define the macro @code{YYDEBUG} to
+1 if it is not already defined, so that the debugging facilities are
+compiled. @xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
+
+@item -D @var{name}[=@var{value}]
+@itemx --define=@var{name}[=@var{value}]
+@itemx -F @var{name}[=@var{value}]
+@itemx --force-define=@var{name}[=@var{value}]
+Each of these is equivalent to @samp{%define @var{name} "@var{value}"}
+(@pxref{Decl Summary, ,%define}) except that Bison processes multiple
+definitions for the same @var{name} as follows:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+Bison quietly ignores all command-line definitions for @var{name} except
+the last.
+@item
+If that command-line definition is specified by a @code{-D} or
+@code{--define}, Bison reports an error for any @code{%define}
+definition for @var{name}.
+@item
+If that command-line definition is specified by a @code{-F} or
+@code{--force-define} instead, Bison quietly ignores all @code{%define}
+definitions for @var{name}.
+@item
+Otherwise, Bison reports an error if there are multiple @code{%define}
+definitions for @var{name}.
+@end itemize
+
+You should avoid using @code{-F} and @code{--force-define} in your
+make files unless you are confident that it is safe to quietly ignore
+any conflicting @code{%define} that may be added to the grammar file.
@item -L @var{language}
@itemx --language=@var{language}
Specify the programming language for the generated parser, as if
@code{%language} was specified (@pxref{Decl Summary, , Bison Declaration
-Summary}). Currently supported languages include C and C++.
+Summary}). Currently supported languages include C, C++, and Java.
@var{language} is case-insensitive.
+This option is experimental and its effect may be modified in future
+releases.
+
@item --locations
Pretend that @code{%locations} was specified. @xref{Decl Summary}.
@item -l
@itemx --no-lines
-Don't put any @code{#line} preprocessor commands in the parser file.
-Ordinarily Bison puts them in the parser file so that the C compiler
-and debuggers will associate errors with your source file, the
-grammar file. This option causes them to associate errors with the
-parser file, treating it as an independent source file in its own right.
-
-@item -n
-@itemx --no-parser
-Pretend that @code{%no-parser} was specified. @xref{Decl Summary}.
+Don't put any @code{#line} preprocessor commands in the parser
+implementation file. Ordinarily Bison puts them in the parser
+implementation file so that the C compiler and debuggers will
+associate errors with your source file, the grammar file. This option
+causes them to associate errors with the parser implementation file,
+treating it as an independent source file in its own right.
@item -S @var{file}
@itemx --skeleton=@var{file}
Specify the skeleton to use, similar to @code{%skeleton}
(@pxref{Decl Summary, , Bison Declaration Summary}).
-You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
-You should use @option{--language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
-different language, because it is clearer and because it will always
-choose the correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
+@c You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
+@c You should use @option{--language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
+@c different language, because it is clearer and because it will always
+@c choose the correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
If @var{file} does not contain a @code{/}, @var{file} is the name of a skeleton
file in the Bison installation directory.
Adjust the output:
@table @option
-@item -d
-@itemx --defines
+@item --defines[=@var{file}]
Pretend that @code{%defines} was specified, i.e., write an extra output
file containing macro definitions for the token type names defined in
the grammar, as well as a few other declarations. @xref{Decl Summary}.
-@item --defines=@var{defines-file}
-Same as above, but save in the file @var{defines-file}.
+@item -d
+This is the same as @code{--defines} except @code{-d} does not accept a
+@var{file} argument since POSIX Yacc requires that @code{-d} can be bundled
+with other short options.
@item -b @var{file-prefix}
@itemx --file-prefix=@var{prefix}
@table @code
@item state
Description of the grammar, conflicts (resolved and unresolved), and
-@acronym{LALR} automaton.
+parser's automaton.
@item lookahead
Implies @code{state} and augments the description of the automaton with
the full set of items for each state, instead of its core only.
@end table
+@item --report-file=@var{file}
+Specify the @var{file} for the verbose description.
+
@item -v
@itemx --verbose
Pretend that @code{%verbose} was specified, i.e., write an extra output
@item -o @var{file}
@itemx --output=@var{file}
-Specify the @var{file} for the parser file.
+Specify the @var{file} for the parser implementation file.
The other output files' names are constructed from @var{file} as
described under the @samp{-v} and @samp{-d} options.
-@item -g
-Output a graphical representation of the @acronym{LALR}(1) grammar
+@item -g [@var{file}]
+@itemx --graph[=@var{file}]
+Output a graphical representation of the parser's
automaton computed by Bison, in @uref{http://www.graphviz.org/, Graphviz}
-@uref{http://www.graphviz.org/doc/info/lang.html, @acronym{DOT}} format.
-If the grammar file is @file{foo.y}, the output file will
-be @file{foo.dot}.
-
-@item --graph=@var{graph-file}
-The behavior of @var{--graph} is the same than @samp{-g}. The only
-difference is that it has an optional argument which is the name of
-the output graph file.
+@uref{http://www.graphviz.org/doc/info/lang.html, DOT} format.
+@code{@var{file}} is optional.
+If omitted and the grammar file is @file{foo.y}, the output file will be
+@file{foo.dot}.
+
+@item -x [@var{file}]
+@itemx --xml[=@var{file}]
+Output an XML report of the parser's automaton computed by Bison.
+@code{@var{file}} is optional.
+If omitted and the grammar file is @file{foo.y}, the output file will be
+@file{foo.xml}.
+(The current XML schema is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
@end table
@node Option Cross Key
@section Option Cross Key
-@c FIXME: How about putting the directives too?
Here is a list of options, alphabetized by long option, to help you find
-the corresponding short option.
-
-@multitable {@option{--defines=@var{defines-file}}} {@option{-b @var{file-prefix}XXX}}
-@headitem Long Option @tab Short Option
-@item @option{--debug} @tab @option{-t}
-@item @option{--defines=@var{defines-file}} @tab @option{-d}
-@item @option{--file-prefix=@var{prefix}} @tab @option{-b @var{file-prefix}}
-@item @option{--graph=@var{graph-file}} @tab @option{-d}
-@item @option{--help} @tab @option{-h}
-@item @option{--name-prefix=@var{prefix}} @tab @option{-p @var{name-prefix}}
-@item @option{--no-lines} @tab @option{-l}
-@item @option{--no-parser} @tab @option{-n}
-@item @option{--output=@var{outfile}} @tab @option{-o @var{outfile}}
-@item @option{--print-localedir} @tab
-@item @option{--token-table} @tab @option{-k}
-@item @option{--verbose} @tab @option{-v}
-@item @option{--version} @tab @option{-V}
-@item @option{--yacc} @tab @option{-y}
+the corresponding short option and directive.
+
+@multitable {@option{--force-define=@var{name}[=@var{value}]}} {@option{-F @var{name}[=@var{value}]}} {@code{%nondeterministic-parser}}
+@headitem Long Option @tab Short Option @tab Bison Directive
+@include cross-options.texi
@end multitable
@node Yacc Library
The Yacc library contains default implementations of the
@code{yyerror} and @code{main} functions. These default
-implementations are normally not useful, but @acronym{POSIX} requires
+implementations are normally not useful, but POSIX requires
them. To use the Yacc library, link your program with the
@option{-ly} option. Note that Bison's implementation of the Yacc
-library is distributed under the terms of the @acronym{GNU} General
+library is distributed under the terms of the GNU General
Public License (@pxref{Copying}).
If you use the Yacc library's @code{yyerror} function, you should
@c ================================================= C++ Bison
-@node C++ Language Interface
-@chapter C++ Language Interface
+@node Other Languages
+@chapter Parsers Written In Other Languages
@menu
* C++ Parsers:: The interface to generate C++ parser classes
-* A Complete C++ Example:: Demonstrating their use
+* Java Parsers:: The interface to generate Java parser classes
@end menu
@node C++ Parsers
* C++ Location Values:: The position and location classes
* C++ Parser Interface:: Instantiating and running the parser
* C++ Scanner Interface:: Exchanges between yylex and parse
+* A Complete C++ Example:: Demonstrating their use
@end menu
@node C++ Bison Interface
@subsection C++ Bison Interface
-@c - %language "C++"
+@c - %skeleton "lalr1.cc"
@c - Always pure
@c - initial action
-The C++ @acronym{LALR}(1) parser is selected using the language directive,
-@samp{%language "C++"}, or the synonymous command-line option
-@option{--language=c++}.
+The C++ deterministic parser is selected using the skeleton directive,
+@samp{%skeleton "lalr1.cc"}, or the synonymous command-line option
+@option{--skeleton=lalr1.cc}.
@xref{Decl Summary}.
-When run, @command{bison} will create several
-entities in the @samp{yy} namespace. Use the @samp{%name-prefix}
-directive to change the namespace name, see @ref{Decl Summary}. The
-various classes are generated in the following files:
+When run, @command{bison} will create several entities in the @samp{yy}
+namespace.
+@findex %define namespace
+Use the @samp{%define namespace} directive to change the namespace name, see
+@ref{Decl Summary}.
+The various classes are generated in the following files:
@table @file
@item position.hh
@item @var{file}.hh
@itemx @var{file}.cc
-(Assuming the extension of the input file was @samp{.yy}.) The
+(Assuming the extension of the grammar file was @samp{.yy}.) The
declaration and implementation of the C++ parser class. The basename
and extension of these two files follow the same rules as with regular C
parsers (@pxref{Invocation}).
it describes an additional member of the parser class, and an
additional argument for its constructor.
-@defcv {Type} {parser} {semantic_value_type}
-@defcvx {Type} {parser} {location_value_type}
+@defcv {Type} {parser} {semantic_type}
+@defcvx {Type} {parser} {location_type}
The types for semantics value and locations.
@end defcv
+@defcv {Type} {parser} {token}
+A structure that contains (only) the definition of the tokens as the
+@code{yytokentype} enumeration. To refer to the token @code{FOO}, the
+scanner should use @code{yy::parser::token::FOO}. The scanner can use
+@samp{typedef yy::parser::token token;} to ``import'' the token enumeration
+(@pxref{Calc++ Scanner}).
+@end defcv
+
@deftypemethod {parser} {} parser (@var{type1} @var{arg1}, ...)
Build a new parser object. There are no arguments by default, unless
@samp{%parse-param @{@var{type1} @var{arg1}@}} was used.
The parser invokes the scanner by calling @code{yylex}. Contrary to C
parsers, C++ parsers are always pure: there is no point in using the
-@code{%pure-parser} directive. Therefore the interface is as follows.
+@code{%define api.pure} directive. Therefore the interface is as follows.
-@deftypemethod {parser} {int} yylex (semantic_value_type& @var{yylval}, location_type& @var{yylloc}, @var{type1} @var{arg1}, ...)
+@deftypemethod {parser} {int} yylex (semantic_type* @var{yylval}, location_type* @var{yylloc}, @var{type1} @var{arg1}, ...)
Return the next token. Its type is the return value, its semantic
value and location being @var{yylval} and @var{yylloc}. Invocations of
@samp{%lex-param @{@var{type1} @var{arg1}@}} yield additional arguments.
@node A Complete C++ Example
-@section A Complete C++ Example
+@subsection A Complete C++ Example
This section demonstrates the use of a C++ parser with a simple but
complete example. This example should be available on your system,
@end menu
@node Calc++ --- C++ Calculator
-@subsection Calc++ --- C++ Calculator
+@subsubsection Calc++ --- C++ Calculator
Of course the grammar is dedicated to arithmetics, a single
expression, possibly preceded by variable assignments. An
@end example
@node Calc++ Parsing Driver
-@subsection Calc++ Parsing Driver
+@subsubsection Calc++ Parsing Driver
@c - An env
@c - A place to store error messages
@c - A place for the result
@end example
@node Calc++ Parser
-@subsection Calc++ Parser
+@subsubsection Calc++ Parser
-The parser definition file @file{calc++-parser.yy} starts by asking for
-the C++ LALR(1) skeleton, the creation of the parser header file, and
-specifies the name of the parser class. Because the C++ skeleton
+The grammar file @file{calc++-parser.yy} starts by asking for the C++
+deterministic parser skeleton, the creation of the parser header file,
+and specifies the name of the parser class. Because the C++ skeleton
changed several times, it is safer to require the version you designed
the grammar for.
@comment file: calc++-parser.yy
@example
-%language "C++" /* -*- C++ -*- */
+%skeleton "lalr1.cc" /* -*- C++ -*- */
%require "@value{VERSION}"
%defines
%define parser_class_name "calcxx_parser"
driver's header needs detailed knowledge about the parser class (in
particular its inner types), it is the parser's header which will simply
use a forward declaration of the driver.
-@xref{Decl Summary, ,%code}.
+@xref{%code Summary}.
@comment file: calc++-parser.yy
@example
@noindent
Then we request the location tracking feature, and initialize the
-first location's file name. Afterwards new locations are computed
+first location's file name. Afterward new locations are computed
relatively to the previous locations: the file name will be
automatically propagated.
@end example
@node Calc++ Scanner
-@subsection Calc++ Scanner
+@subsubsection Calc++ Scanner
The Flex scanner first includes the driver declaration, then the
parser's to get the set of defined tokens.
@example
%@{ /* -*- C++ -*- */
# include <cstdlib>
-# include <errno.h>
-# include <limits.h>
+# include <cerrno>
+# include <climits>
# include <string>
# include "calc++-driver.hh"
# include "calc++-parser.hh"
@end example
@node Calc++ Top Level
-@subsection Calc++ Top Level
+@subsubsection Calc++ Top Level
The top level file, @file{calc++.cc}, poses no problem.
@}
@end example
+@node Java Parsers
+@section Java Parsers
+
+@menu
+* Java Bison Interface:: Asking for Java parser generation
+* Java Semantic Values:: %type and %token vs. Java
+* Java Location Values:: The position and location classes
+* Java Parser Interface:: Instantiating and running the parser
+* Java Scanner Interface:: Specifying the scanner for the parser
+* Java Action Features:: Special features for use in actions
+* Java Differences:: Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
+* Java Declarations Summary:: List of Bison declarations used with Java
+@end menu
+
+@node Java Bison Interface
+@subsection Java Bison Interface
+@c - %language "Java"
+
+(The current Java interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+The Java parser skeletons are selected using the @code{%language "Java"}
+directive or the @option{-L java}/@option{--language=java} option.
+
+@c FIXME: Documented bug.
+When generating a Java parser, @code{bison @var{basename}.y} will
+create a single Java source file named @file{@var{basename}.java}
+containing the parser implementation. Using a grammar file without a
+@file{.y} suffix is currently broken. The basename of the parser
+implementation file can be changed by the @code{%file-prefix}
+directive or the @option{-p}/@option{--name-prefix} option. The
+entire parser implementation file name can be changed by the
+@code{%output} directive or the @option{-o}/@option{--output} option.
+The parser implementation file contains a single class for the parser.
+
+You can create documentation for generated parsers using Javadoc.
+
+Contrary to C parsers, Java parsers do not use global variables; the
+state of the parser is always local to an instance of the parser class.
+Therefore, all Java parsers are ``pure'', and the @code{%pure-parser}
+and @code{%define api.pure} directives does not do anything when used in
+Java.
+
+Push parsers are currently unsupported in Java and @code{%define
+api.push-pull} have no effect.
+
+GLR parsers are currently unsupported in Java. Do not use the
+@code{glr-parser} directive.
+
+No header file can be generated for Java parsers. Do not use the
+@code{%defines} directive or the @option{-d}/@option{--defines} options.
+
+@c FIXME: Possible code change.
+Currently, support for debugging and verbose errors are always compiled
+in. Thus the @code{%debug} and @code{%token-table} directives and the
+@option{-t}/@option{--debug} and @option{-k}/@option{--token-table}
+options have no effect. This may change in the future to eliminate
+unused code in the generated parser, so use @code{%debug} and
+@code{%verbose-error} explicitly if needed. Also, in the future the
+@code{%token-table} directive might enable a public interface to
+access the token names and codes.
+
+@node Java Semantic Values
+@subsection Java Semantic Values
+@c - No %union, specify type in %type/%token.
+@c - YYSTYPE
+@c - Printer and destructor
+
+There is no @code{%union} directive in Java parsers. Instead, the
+semantic values' types (class names) should be specified in the
+@code{%type} or @code{%token} directive:
+
+@example
+%type <Expression> expr assignment_expr term factor
+%type <Integer> number
+@end example
+
+By default, the semantic stack is declared to have @code{Object} members,
+which means that the class types you specify can be of any class.
+To improve the type safety of the parser, you can declare the common
+superclass of all the semantic values using the @code{%define stype}
+directive. For example, after the following declaration:
+
+@example
+%define stype "ASTNode"
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+any @code{%type} or @code{%token} specifying a semantic type which
+is not a subclass of ASTNode, will cause a compile-time error.
+
+@c FIXME: Documented bug.
+Types used in the directives may be qualified with a package name.
+Primitive data types are accepted for Java version 1.5 or later. Note
+that in this case the autoboxing feature of Java 1.5 will be used.
+Generic types may not be used; this is due to a limitation in the
+implementation of Bison, and may change in future releases.
+
+Java parsers do not support @code{%destructor}, since the language
+adopts garbage collection. The parser will try to hold references
+to semantic values for as little time as needed.
+
+Java parsers do not support @code{%printer}, as @code{toString()}
+can be used to print the semantic values. This however may change
+(in a backwards-compatible way) in future versions of Bison.
+
+
+@node Java Location Values
+@subsection Java Location Values
+@c - %locations
+@c - class Position
+@c - class Location
+
+When the directive @code{%locations} is used, the Java parser
+supports location tracking, see @ref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
+An auxiliary user-defined class defines a @dfn{position}, a single point
+in a file; Bison itself defines a class representing a @dfn{location},
+a range composed of a pair of positions (possibly spanning several
+files). The location class is an inner class of the parser; the name
+is @code{Location} by default, and may also be renamed using
+@code{%define location_type "@var{class-name}"}.
+
+The location class treats the position as a completely opaque value.
+By default, the class name is @code{Position}, but this can be changed
+with @code{%define position_type "@var{class-name}"}. This class must
+be supplied by the user.
+
+
+@deftypeivar {Location} {Position} begin
+@deftypeivarx {Location} {Position} end
+The first, inclusive, position of the range, and the first beyond.
+@end deftypeivar
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {Location} {} Location (Position @var{loc})
+Create a @code{Location} denoting an empty range located at a given point.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {Location} {} Location (Position @var{begin}, Position @var{end})
+Create a @code{Location} from the endpoints of the range.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypemethod {Location} {String} toString ()
+Prints the range represented by the location. For this to work
+properly, the position class should override the @code{equals} and
+@code{toString} methods appropriately.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+
+@node Java Parser Interface
+@subsection Java Parser Interface
+@c - define parser_class_name
+@c - Ctor
+@c - parse, error, set_debug_level, debug_level, set_debug_stream,
+@c debug_stream.
+@c - Reporting errors
+
+The name of the generated parser class defaults to @code{YYParser}. The
+@code{YY} prefix may be changed using the @code{%name-prefix} directive
+or the @option{-p}/@option{--name-prefix} option. Alternatively, use
+@code{%define parser_class_name "@var{name}"} to give a custom name to
+the class. The interface of this class is detailed below.
+
+By default, the parser class has package visibility. A declaration
+@code{%define public} will change to public visibility. Remember that,
+according to the Java language specification, the name of the @file{.java}
+file should match the name of the class in this case. Similarly, you can
+use @code{abstract}, @code{final} and @code{strictfp} with the
+@code{%define} declaration to add other modifiers to the parser class.
+
+The Java package name of the parser class can be specified using the
+@code{%define package} directive. The superclass and the implemented
+interfaces of the parser class can be specified with the @code{%define
+extends} and @code{%define implements} directives.
+
+The parser class defines an inner class, @code{Location}, that is used
+for location tracking (see @ref{Java Location Values}), and a inner
+interface, @code{Lexer} (see @ref{Java Scanner Interface}). Other than
+these inner class/interface, and the members described in the interface
+below, all the other members and fields are preceded with a @code{yy} or
+@code{YY} prefix to avoid clashes with user code.
+
+@c FIXME: The following constants and variables are still undocumented:
+@c @code{bisonVersion}, @code{bisonSkeleton} and @code{errorVerbose}.
+
+The parser class can be extended using the @code{%parse-param}
+directive. Each occurrence of the directive will add a @code{protected
+final} field to the parser class, and an argument to its constructor,
+which initialize them automatically.
+
+Token names defined by @code{%token} and the predefined @code{EOF} token
+name are added as constant fields to the parser class.
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {YYParser} {} YYParser (@var{lex_param}, @dots{}, @var{parse_param}, @dots{})
+Build a new parser object with embedded @code{%code lexer}. There are
+no parameters, unless @code{%parse-param}s and/or @code{%lex-param}s are
+used.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {YYParser} {} YYParser (Lexer @var{lexer}, @var{parse_param}, @dots{})
+Build a new parser object using the specified scanner. There are no
+additional parameters unless @code{%parse-param}s are used.
+
+If the scanner is defined by @code{%code lexer}, this constructor is
+declared @code{protected} and is called automatically with a scanner
+created with the correct @code{%lex-param}s.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypemethod {YYParser} {boolean} parse ()
+Run the syntactic analysis, and return @code{true} on success,
+@code{false} otherwise.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {YYParser} {boolean} recovering ()
+During the syntactic analysis, return @code{true} if recovering
+from a syntax error.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {YYParser} {java.io.PrintStream} getDebugStream ()
+@deftypemethodx {YYParser} {void} setDebugStream (java.io.printStream @var{o})
+Get or set the stream used for tracing the parsing. It defaults to
+@code{System.err}.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {YYParser} {int} getDebugLevel ()
+@deftypemethodx {YYParser} {void} setDebugLevel (int @var{l})
+Get or set the tracing level. Currently its value is either 0, no trace,
+or nonzero, full tracing.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+
+@node Java Scanner Interface
+@subsection Java Scanner Interface
+@c - %code lexer
+@c - %lex-param
+@c - Lexer interface
+
+There are two possible ways to interface a Bison-generated Java parser
+with a scanner: the scanner may be defined by @code{%code lexer}, or
+defined elsewhere. In either case, the scanner has to implement the
+@code{Lexer} inner interface of the parser class.
+
+In the first case, the body of the scanner class is placed in
+@code{%code lexer} blocks. If you want to pass parameters from the
+parser constructor to the scanner constructor, specify them with
+@code{%lex-param}; they are passed before @code{%parse-param}s to the
+constructor.
+
+In the second case, the scanner has to implement the @code{Lexer} interface,
+which is defined within the parser class (e.g., @code{YYParser.Lexer}).
+The constructor of the parser object will then accept an object
+implementing the interface; @code{%lex-param} is not used in this
+case.
+
+In both cases, the scanner has to implement the following methods.
+
+@deftypemethod {Lexer} {void} yyerror (Location @var{loc}, String @var{msg})
+This method is defined by the user to emit an error message. The first
+parameter is omitted if location tracking is not active. Its type can be
+changed using @code{%define location_type "@var{class-name}".}
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {Lexer} {int} yylex ()
+Return the next token. Its type is the return value, its semantic
+value and location are saved and returned by the their methods in the
+interface.
+
+Use @code{%define lex_throws} to specify any uncaught exceptions.
+Default is @code{java.io.IOException}.
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {Lexer} {Position} getStartPos ()
+@deftypemethodx {Lexer} {Position} getEndPos ()
+Return respectively the first position of the last token that
+@code{yylex} returned, and the first position beyond it. These
+methods are not needed unless location tracking is active.
+
+The return type can be changed using @code{%define position_type
+"@var{class-name}".}
+@end deftypemethod
+
+@deftypemethod {Lexer} {Object} getLVal ()
+Return the semantic value of the last token that yylex returned.
+
+The return type can be changed using @code{%define stype
+"@var{class-name}".}
+@end deftypemethod
+
+
+@node Java Action Features
+@subsection Special Features for Use in Java Actions
+
+The following special constructs can be uses in Java actions.
+Other analogous C action features are currently unavailable for Java.
+
+Use @code{%define throws} to specify any uncaught exceptions from parser
+actions, and initial actions specified by @code{%initial-action}.
+
+@defvar $@var{n}
+The semantic value for the @var{n}th component of the current rule.
+This may not be assigned to.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar $<@var{typealt}>@var{n}
+Like @code{$@var{n}} but specifies a alternative type @var{typealt}.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar $$
+The semantic value for the grouping made by the current rule. As a
+value, this is in the base type (@code{Object} or as specified by
+@code{%define stype}) as in not cast to the declared subtype because
+casts are not allowed on the left-hand side of Java assignments.
+Use an explicit Java cast if the correct subtype is needed.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar $<@var{typealt}>$
+Same as @code{$$} since Java always allow assigning to the base type.
+Perhaps we should use this and @code{$<>$} for the value and @code{$$}
+for setting the value but there is currently no easy way to distinguish
+these constructs.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar @@@var{n}
+The location information of the @var{n}th component of the current rule.
+This may not be assigned to.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar @@$
+The location information of the grouping made by the current rule.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYABORT;}
+Return immediately from the parser, indicating failure.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYACCEPT;}
+Return immediately from the parser, indicating success.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYERROR;}
+Start error recovery without printing an error message.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deftypefn {Function} {boolean} recovering ()
+Return whether error recovery is being done. In this state, the parser
+reads token until it reaches a known state, and then restarts normal
+operation.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deftypefn
+
+@deftypefn {Function} {protected void} yyerror (String msg)
+@deftypefnx {Function} {protected void} yyerror (Position pos, String msg)
+@deftypefnx {Function} {protected void} yyerror (Location loc, String msg)
+Print an error message using the @code{yyerror} method of the scanner
+instance in use.
+@end deftypefn
+
+
+@node Java Differences
+@subsection Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
+
+The different structure of the Java language forces several differences
+between C/C++ grammars, and grammars designed for Java parsers. This
+section summarizes these differences.
+
+@itemize
+@item
+Java lacks a preprocessor, so the @code{YYERROR}, @code{YYACCEPT},
+@code{YYABORT} symbols (@pxref{Table of Symbols}) cannot obviously be
+macros. Instead, they should be preceded by @code{return} when they
+appear in an action. The actual definition of these symbols is
+opaque to the Bison grammar, and it might change in the future. The
+only meaningful operation that you can do, is to return them.
+See @pxref{Java Action Features}.
+
+Note that of these three symbols, only @code{YYACCEPT} and
+@code{YYABORT} will cause a return from the @code{yyparse}
+method@footnote{Java parsers include the actions in a separate
+method than @code{yyparse} in order to have an intuitive syntax that
+corresponds to these C macros.}.
+
+@item
+Java lacks unions, so @code{%union} has no effect. Instead, semantic
+values have a common base type: @code{Object} or as specified by
+@samp{%define stype}. Angle brackets on @code{%token}, @code{type},
+@code{$@var{n}} and @code{$$} specify subtypes rather than fields of
+an union. The type of @code{$$}, even with angle brackets, is the base
+type since Java casts are not allow on the left-hand side of assignments.
+Also, @code{$@var{n}} and @code{@@@var{n}} are not allowed on the
+left-hand side of assignments. See @pxref{Java Semantic Values} and
+@pxref{Java Action Features}.
+
+@item
+The prologue declarations have a different meaning than in C/C++ code.
+@table @asis
+@item @code{%code imports}
+blocks are placed at the beginning of the Java source code. They may
+include copyright notices. For a @code{package} declarations, it is
+suggested to use @code{%define package} instead.
+
+@item unqualified @code{%code}
+blocks are placed inside the parser class.
+
+@item @code{%code lexer}
+blocks, if specified, should include the implementation of the
+scanner. If there is no such block, the scanner can be any class
+that implements the appropriate interface (see @pxref{Java Scanner
+Interface}).
+@end table
+
+Other @code{%code} blocks are not supported in Java parsers.
+In particular, @code{%@{ @dots{} %@}} blocks should not be used
+and may give an error in future versions of Bison.
+
+The epilogue has the same meaning as in C/C++ code and it can
+be used to define other classes used by the parser @emph{outside}
+the parser class.
+@end itemize
+
+
+@node Java Declarations Summary
+@subsection Java Declarations Summary
+
+This summary only include declarations specific to Java or have special
+meaning when used in a Java parser.
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%language "Java"}
+Generate a Java class for the parser.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %lex-param @{@var{type} @var{name}@}
+A parameter for the lexer class defined by @code{%code lexer}
+@emph{only}, added as parameters to the lexer constructor and the parser
+constructor that @emph{creates} a lexer. Default is none.
+@xref{Java Scanner Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %name-prefix "@var{prefix}"
+The prefix of the parser class name @code{@var{prefix}Parser} if
+@code{%define parser_class_name} is not used. Default is @code{YY}.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %parse-param @{@var{type} @var{name}@}
+A parameter for the parser class added as parameters to constructor(s)
+and as fields initialized by the constructor(s). Default is none.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %token <@var{type}> @var{token} @dots{}
+Declare tokens. Note that the angle brackets enclose a Java @emph{type}.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %type <@var{type}> @var{nonterminal} @dots{}
+Declare the type of nonterminals. Note that the angle brackets enclose
+a Java @emph{type}.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %code @{ @var{code} @dots{} @}
+Code appended to the inside of the parser class.
+@xref{Java Differences}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%code imports} @{ @var{code} @dots{} @}
+Code inserted just after the @code{package} declaration.
+@xref{Java Differences}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%code lexer} @{ @var{code} @dots{} @}
+Code added to the body of a inner lexer class within the parser class.
+@xref{Java Scanner Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %% @var{code} @dots{}
+Code (after the second @code{%%}) appended to the end of the file,
+@emph{outside} the parser class.
+@xref{Java Differences}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %@{ @var{code} @dots{} %@}
+Not supported. Use @code{%code import} instead.
+@xref{Java Differences}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define abstract}
+Whether the parser class is declared @code{abstract}. Default is false.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define extends} "@var{superclass}"
+The superclass of the parser class. Default is none.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define final}
+Whether the parser class is declared @code{final}. Default is false.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define implements} "@var{interfaces}"
+The implemented interfaces of the parser class, a comma-separated list.
+Default is none.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define lex_throws} "@var{exceptions}"
+The exceptions thrown by the @code{yylex} method of the lexer, a
+comma-separated list. Default is @code{java.io.IOException}.
+@xref{Java Scanner Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define location_type} "@var{class}"
+The name of the class used for locations (a range between two
+positions). This class is generated as an inner class of the parser
+class by @command{bison}. Default is @code{Location}.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define package} "@var{package}"
+The package to put the parser class in. Default is none.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define parser_class_name} "@var{name}"
+The name of the parser class. Default is @code{YYParser} or
+@code{@var{name-prefix}Parser}.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define position_type} "@var{class}"
+The name of the class used for positions. This class must be supplied by
+the user. Default is @code{Position}.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define public}
+Whether the parser class is declared @code{public}. Default is false.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define stype} "@var{class}"
+The base type of semantic values. Default is @code{Object}.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define strictfp}
+Whether the parser class is declared @code{strictfp}. Default is false.
+@xref{Java Bison Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define throws} "@var{exceptions}"
+The exceptions thrown by user-supplied parser actions and
+@code{%initial-action}, a comma-separated list. Default is none.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+
@c ================================================= FAQ
@node FAQ
* Strings are Destroyed:: @code{yylval} Loses Track of Strings
* Implementing Gotos/Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
* Multiple start-symbols:: Factoring closely related grammars
-* Secure? Conform?:: Is Bison @acronym{POSIX} safe?
+* Secure? Conform?:: Is Bison POSIX safe?
* I can't build Bison:: Troubleshooting
* Where can I find help?:: Troubleshouting
* Bug Reports:: Troublereporting
-* Other Languages:: Parsers in Java and others
+* More Languages:: Parsers in C++, Java, and so on
* Beta Testing:: Experimenting development versions
* Mailing Lists:: Meeting other Bison users
@end menu
@display
My parser includes support for an @samp{#include}-like feature, in
which case I run @code{yyparse} from @code{yyparse}. This fails
-although I did specify I needed a @code{%pure-parser}.
+although I did specify @code{%define api.pure}.
@end display
These problems typically come not from Bison itself, but from
execute simple instructions one after the others.
@cindex abstract syntax tree
-@cindex @acronym{AST}
+@cindex AST
If you want a richer model, you will probably need to use the parser
to construct a tree that does represent the structure it has
recovered; this tree is usually called the @dfn{abstract syntax tree},
-or @dfn{@acronym{AST}} for short. Then, walking through this tree,
+or @dfn{AST} for short. Then, walking through this tree,
traversing it in various ways, will enable treatments such as its
execution or its translation, which will result in an interpreter or a
compiler.
If you're looking for a guarantee or certification, we don't provide it.
However, Bison is intended to be a reliable program that conforms to the
-@acronym{POSIX} specification for Yacc. If you run into problems,
+POSIX specification for Yacc. If you run into problems,
please send us a bug report.
@node I can't build Bison
Send bug reports to @email{bug-bison@@gnu.org}.
-@node Other Languages
-@section Other Languages
+@node More Languages
+@section More Languages
@display
-Will Bison ever have C++ support? How about Java or @var{insert your
+Will Bison ever have C++ and Java support? How about @var{insert your
favorite language here}?
@end display
-C++ support is there now, and is documented. We'd love to add other
+C++ and Java support is there now, and is documented. We'd love to add other
languages; contributions are welcome.
@node Beta Testing
side of the rule. @xref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Variable} @@@var{name}
+In an action, the location of a symbol addressed by name.
+@xref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} @@[@var{name}]
+In an action, the location of a symbol addressed by name.
+@xref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Variable} $$
In an action, the semantic value of the left-hand side of the rule.
@xref{Actions}.
right-hand side of the rule. @xref{Actions}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Variable} $@var{name}
+In an action, the semantic value of a symbol addressed by name.
+@xref{Actions}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} $[@var{name}]
+In an action, the semantic value of a symbol addressed by name.
+@xref{Actions}.
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Delimiter} %%
Delimiter used to separate the grammar rule section from the
Bison declarations section or the epilogue.
@c Don't insert spaces, or check the DVI output.
@deffn {Delimiter} %@{@var{code}%@}
-All code listed between @samp{%@{} and @samp{%@}} is copied directly to
-the output file uninterpreted. Such code forms the prologue of the input
-file. @xref{Grammar Outline, ,Outline of a Bison
+All code listed between @samp{%@{} and @samp{%@}} is copied verbatim
+to the parser implementation file. Such code forms the prologue of
+the grammar file. @xref{Grammar Outline, ,Outline of a Bison
Grammar}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %code @{@var{code}@}
@deffnx {Directive} %code @var{qualifier} @{@var{code}@}
Insert @var{code} verbatim into output parser source.
-@xref{Decl Summary,,%code}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Directive} %debug
-Equip the parser for debugging. @xref{Decl Summary}.
+@xref{%code Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %debug
@deffn {Directive} %define @var{define-variable}
@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{define-variable} @var{value}
+@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{define-variable} "@var{value}"
Define a variable to adjust Bison's behavior.
@xref{Decl Summary,,%define}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %defines
-Bison declaration to create a header file meant for the scanner.
-@xref{Decl Summary}.
+Bison declaration to create a parser header file, which is usually
+meant for the scanner. @xref{Decl Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %defines @var{defines-file}
@deffn {Directive} %dprec
Bison declaration to assign a precedence to a rule that is used at parse
time to resolve reduce/reduce conflicts. @xref{GLR Parsers, ,Writing
-@acronym{GLR} Parsers}.
+GLR Parsers}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Symbol} $end
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %glr-parser
-Bison declaration to produce a @acronym{GLR} parser. @xref{GLR
-Parsers, ,Writing @acronym{GLR} Parsers}.
+Bison declaration to produce a GLR parser. @xref{GLR
+Parsers, ,Writing GLR Parsers}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %initial-action
Bison declaration to assign a merging function to a rule. If there is a
reduce/reduce conflict with a rule having the same merging function, the
function is applied to the two semantic values to get a single result.
-@xref{GLR Parsers, ,Writing @acronym{GLR} Parsers}.
+@xref{GLR Parsers, ,Writing GLR Parsers}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %name-prefix "@var{prefix}"
@deffn {Directive} %no-lines
Bison declaration to avoid generating @code{#line} directives in the
-parser file. @xref{Decl Summary}.
+parser implementation file. @xref{Decl Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %nonassoc
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %output "@var{file}"
-Bison declaration to set the name of the parser file. @xref{Decl
-Summary}.
+Bison declaration to set the name of the parser implementation file.
+@xref{Decl Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %parse-param @{@var{argument-declaration}@}
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %pure-parser
-Bison declaration to request a pure (reentrant) parser.
-@xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}.
+Deprecated version of @code{%define api.pure} (@pxref{Decl Summary, ,%define}),
+for which Bison is more careful to warn about unreasonable usage.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %require "@var{version}"
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %token-table
-Bison declaration to include a token name table in the parser file.
-@xref{Decl Summary}.
+Bison declaration to include a token name table in the parser
+implementation file. @xref{Decl Summary}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %type
making @code{yyparse} return 1 immediately. The error reporting
function @code{yyerror} is not called. @xref{Parser Function, ,The
Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+
+For Java parsers, this functionality is invoked using @code{return YYABORT;}
+instead.
@end deffn
@deffn {Macro} YYACCEPT
Macro to pretend that a complete utterance of the language has been
read, by making @code{yyparse} return 0 immediately.
@xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+
+For Java parsers, this functionality is invoked using @code{return YYACCEPT;}
+instead.
@end deffn
@deffn {Macro} YYBACKUP
@code{yyerror} and then perform normal error recovery if possible
(@pxref{Error Recovery}), or (if recovery is impossible) make
@code{yyparse} return 1. @xref{Error Recovery}.
+
+For Java parsers, this functionality is invoked using @code{return YYERROR;}
+instead.
@end deffn
@deffn {Function} yyerror
@deffn {Variable} yynerrs
Global variable which Bison increments each time it reports a syntax error.
-(In a pure parser, it is a local variable within @code{yyparse}.)
+(In a pure parser, it is a local variable within @code{yyparse}. In a
+pure push parser, it is a member of yypstate.)
@xref{Error Reporting, ,The Error Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}.
@end deffn
parsing. @xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Function} yypstate_delete
+The function to delete a parser instance, produced by Bison in push mode;
+call this function to delete the memory associated with a parser.
+@xref{Parser Delete Function, ,The Parser Delete Function
+@code{yypstate_delete}}.
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yypstate_new
+The function to create a parser instance, produced by Bison in push mode;
+call this function to create a new parser.
+@xref{Parser Create Function, ,The Parser Create Function
+@code{yypstate_new}}.
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yypull_parse
+The parser function produced by Bison in push mode; call this function to
+parse the rest of the input stream.
+@xref{Pull Parser Function, ,The Pull Parser Function
+@code{yypull_parse}}.
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yypush_parse
+The parser function produced by Bison in push mode; call this function to
+parse a single token. @xref{Push Parser Function, ,The Push Parser Function
+@code{yypush_parse}}.
+(The current push parsing interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Macro} YYPARSE_PARAM
An obsolete macro for specifying the name of a parameter that
@code{yyparse} should accept. The use of this macro is deprecated, and
@end deffn
@deffn {Macro} YYSTACK_USE_ALLOCA
-Macro used to control the use of @code{alloca} when the C
-@acronym{LALR}(1) parser needs to extend its stacks. If defined to 0,
+Macro used to control the use of @code{alloca} when the
+deterministic parser in C needs to extend its stacks. If defined to 0,
the parser will use @code{malloc} to extend its stacks. If defined to
1, the parser will use @code{alloca}. Values other than 0 and 1 are
reserved for future Bison extensions. If not defined,
@cindex glossary
@table @asis
-@item Backus-Naur Form (@acronym{BNF}; also called ``Backus Normal Form'')
+@item Accepting State
+A state whose only action is the accept action.
+The accepting state is thus a consistent state.
+@xref{Understanding,,}.
+
+@item Backus-Naur Form (BNF; also called ``Backus Normal Form'')
Formal method of specifying context-free grammars originally proposed
by John Backus, and slightly improved by Peter Naur in his 1960-01-02
committee document contributing to what became the Algol 60 report.
@xref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages and Context-Free Grammars}.
+@item Consistent State
+A state containing only one possible action.
+@xref{Decl Summary,,lr.default-reductions}.
+
@item Context-free grammars
Grammars specified as rules that can be applied regardless of context.
Thus, if there is a rule which says that an integer can be used as an
permitted. @xref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages and Context-Free
Grammars}.
+@item Default Reduction
+The reduction that a parser should perform if the current parser state
+contains no other action for the lookahead token.
+In permitted parser states, Bison declares the reduction with the
+largest lookahead set to be the default reduction and removes that
+lookahead set.
+@xref{Decl Summary,,lr.default-reductions}.
+
@item Dynamic allocation
Allocation of memory that occurs during execution, rather than at
compile time or on entry to a function.
parsed, and the states correspond to various stages in the grammar
rules. @xref{Algorithm, ,The Bison Parser Algorithm}.
-@item Generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR})
+@item Generalized LR (GLR)
A parsing algorithm that can handle all context-free grammars, including those
-that are not @acronym{LALR}(1). It resolves situations that Bison's
-usual @acronym{LALR}(1)
+that are not LR(1). It resolves situations that Bison's
+deterministic parsing
algorithm cannot by effectively splitting off multiple parsers, trying all
possible parsers, and discarding those that fail in the light of additional
right context. @xref{Generalized LR Parsing, ,Generalized
-@acronym{LR} Parsing}.
+LR Parsing}.
@item Grouping
A language construct that is (in general) grammatically divisible;
for example, `expression' or `declaration' in C@.
@xref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages and Context-Free Grammars}.
+@item IELR(1)
+A minimal LR(1) parser table generation algorithm.
+That is, given any context-free grammar, IELR(1) generates
+parser tables with the full language recognition power of canonical
+LR(1) but with nearly the same number of parser states as
+LALR(1).
+This reduction in parser states is often an order of magnitude.
+More importantly, because canonical LR(1)'s extra parser
+states may contain duplicate conflicts in the case of
+non-LR(1) grammars, the number of conflicts for
+IELR(1) is often an order of magnitude less as well.
+This can significantly reduce the complexity of developing of a grammar.
+@xref{Decl Summary,,lr.type}.
+
@item Infix operator
An arithmetic operator that is placed between the operands on which it
performs some operation.
@item Input stream
A continuous flow of data between devices or programs.
+@item LAC (Lookahead Correction)
+A parsing mechanism that fixes the problem of delayed syntax error
+detection, which is caused by LR state merging, default reductions, and
+the use of @code{%nonassoc}. Delayed syntax error detection results in
+unexpected semantic actions, initiation of error recovery in the wrong
+syntactic context, and an incorrect list of expected tokens in a verbose
+syntax error message. @xref{Decl Summary,,parse.lac}.
+
@item Language construct
One of the typical usage schemas of the language. For example, one of
the constructs of the C language is the @code{if} statement.
A token already read but not yet shifted. @xref{Lookahead, ,Lookahead
Tokens}.
-@item @acronym{LALR}(1)
+@item LALR(1)
The class of context-free grammars that Bison (like most other parser
-generators) can handle; a subset of @acronym{LR}(1). @xref{Mystery
-Conflicts, ,Mysterious Reduce/Reduce Conflicts}.
+generators) can handle by default; a subset of LR(1).
+@xref{Mystery Conflicts, ,Mysterious Reduce/Reduce Conflicts}.
-@item @acronym{LR}(1)
+@item LR(1)
The class of context-free grammars in which at most one token of
lookahead is needed to disambiguate the parsing of any piece of input.
@node Copying This Manual
@appendix Copying This Manual
-
-@menu
-* GNU Free Documentation License:: License for copying this manual.
-@end menu
-
@include fdl.texi
@node Index
@bye
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-@c LocalWords: YYSTACK DVI fdl printindex
+@c Local Variables:
+@c fill-column: 76
+@c End:
+
+@c LocalWords: texinfo setfilename settitle setchapternewpage finalout texi FSF
+@c LocalWords: ifinfo smallbook shorttitlepage titlepage GPL FIXME iftex FSF's
+@c LocalWords: akim fn cp syncodeindex vr tp synindex dircategory direntry Naur
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projects / bison.git / blobdiff