@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, 1998-2012 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).
-* 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.
+ 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.
+* Bibliography:: Publications cited in 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 of location tracking.
+* 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
-* Grammar Outline:: Overall layout of the grammar file.
-* Symbols:: Terminal and nonterminal symbols.
-* Rules:: How to write grammar rules.
-* Recursion:: Writing recursive rules.
-* Semantics:: Semantic values and actions.
-* Locations:: Locations and actions.
-* Declarations:: All kinds of Bison declarations are described here.
-* Multiple Parsers:: Putting more than one Bison parser in one program.
+* Grammar Outline:: Overall layout of the grammar file.
+* Symbols:: Terminal and nonterminal symbols.
+* Rules:: How to write grammar rules.
+* Recursion:: Writing recursive rules.
+* Semantics:: Semantic values and actions.
+* Tracking Locations:: Locations and actions.
+* Named References:: Using named references in actions.
+* Declarations:: All kinds of Bison declarations are described here.
+* Multiple Parsers:: Putting more than one Bison parser in one program.
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
* 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.
+* %define Summary:: Defining variables to adjust Bison's behavior.
+* %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.
+* Mysterious Conflicts:: Conflicts that look unjustified.
+* Tuning LR:: How to tune fundamental aspects of LR-based parsing.
* Generalized LR Parsing:: Parsing arbitrary context-free grammars.
* Memory Management:: What happens when memory is exhausted. How to avoid it.
* Precedence Examples:: How these features are used in the previous example.
* How Precedence:: How they work.
+Tuning LR
+
+* LR Table Construction:: Choose a different construction algorithm.
+* Default Reductions:: Disable default reductions.
+* LAC:: Correct lookahead sets in the parser states.
+* Unreachable States:: Keep unreachable parser states for debugging.
+
Handling Context Dependencies
* Semantic Tokens:: Token parsing can depend on the semantic context.
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:: Java scanners, and pure parsers
-* Java Differences:: Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
+* 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 of location tracking.
+* 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).
-@xref{Mystery Conflicts, ,Mysterious Reduce/Reduce Conflicts}, for
-more information on this.
-
-@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsing
-@cindex generalized @acronym{LR} (@acronym{GLR}) parsing
+BNF is a context-free grammar. The input to Bison is
+essentially machine-readable BNF.
+
+@cindex LALR grammars
+@cindex IELR grammars
+@cindex LR 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{Mysterious 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{LR Table
+Construction}, to learn how.
+
+@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.
Here is a simple C function subdivided into tokens:
-@ifinfo
@example
int /* @r{keyword `int'} */
square (int x) /* @r{identifier, open-paren, keyword `int',}
@r{identifier, semicolon} */
@} /* @r{close-brace} */
@end example
-@end ifinfo
-@ifnotinfo
-@example
-int /* @r{keyword `int'} */
-square (int x) /* @r{identifier, open-paren, keyword `int', identifier, close-paren} */
-@{ /* @r{open-brace} */
- return x * x; /* @r{keyword `return', identifier, asterisk, identifier, semicolon} */
-@} /* @r{close-brace} */
-@end example
-@end ifnotinfo
The syntactic groupings of C include the expression, the statement, the
declaration, and the function definition. These are represented in the
used in every rule.
@example
-stmt: RETURN expr ';'
- ;
+stmt: RETURN expr ';' ;
@end example
@noindent
two subexpressions:
@example
-expr: expr '+' expr @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
- ;
+expr: expr '+' expr @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @} ;
@end example
@noindent
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.
%%
@group
-type_decl : TYPE ID '=' type ';'
- ;
+type_decl: TYPE ID '=' type ';' ;
@end group
@group
-type : '(' id_list ')'
- | expr DOTDOT expr
- ;
+type:
+ '(' id_list ')'
+| expr DOTDOT expr
+;
@end group
@group
-id_list : ID
- | id_list ',' ID
- ;
+id_list:
+ ID
+| id_list ',' ID
+;
@end group
@group
-expr : '(' expr ')'
- | expr '+' expr
- | expr '-' expr
- | expr '*' expr
- | expr '/' expr
- | ID
- ;
+expr:
+ '(' expr ')'
+| expr '+' expr
+| expr '-' expr
+| expr '*' expr
+| expr '/' expr
+| ID
+;
@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
%%
-prog :
- | prog stmt @{ printf ("\n"); @}
- ;
+prog:
+ /* Nothing. */
+| prog stmt @{ printf ("\n"); @}
+;
-stmt : expr ';' %dprec 1
- | decl %dprec 2
- ;
+stmt:
+ expr ';' %dprec 1
+| decl %dprec 2
+;
-expr : ID @{ printf ("%s ", $$); @}
- | TYPENAME '(' expr ')'
- @{ printf ("%s <cast> ", $1); @}
- | expr '+' expr @{ printf ("+ "); @}
- | expr '=' expr @{ printf ("= "); @}
- ;
+expr:
+ ID @{ printf ("%s ", $$); @}
+| TYPENAME '(' expr ')'
+ @{ printf ("%s <cast> ", $1); @}
+| expr '+' expr @{ printf ("+ "); @}
+| expr '=' expr @{ printf ("= "); @}
+;
-decl : TYPENAME declarator ';'
- @{ printf ("%s <declare> ", $1); @}
- | TYPENAME declarator '=' expr ';'
- @{ printf ("%s <init-declare> ", $1); @}
- ;
+decl:
+ TYPENAME declarator ';'
+ @{ printf ("%s <declare> ", $1); @}
+| TYPENAME declarator '=' expr ';'
+ @{ printf ("%s <init-declare> ", $1); @}
+;
-declarator : ID @{ printf ("\"%s\" ", $1); @}
- | '(' declarator ')'
- ;
+declarator:
+ ID @{ printf ("\"%s\" ", $1); @}
+| '(' declarator ')'
+;
@end example
@noindent
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
follows:
@example
-stmt : expr ';' %merge <stmtMerge>
- | decl %merge <stmtMerge>
- ;
+stmt:
+ expr ';' %merge <stmtMerge>
+| decl %merge <stmtMerge>
+;
@end example
@noindent
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
@example
%@{
- #if __STDC_VERSION__ < 199901 && ! defined __GNUC__ && ! defined inline
- #define inline
+ #if (__STDC_VERSION__ < 199901 && ! defined __GNUC__ \
+ && ! defined inline)
+ # define inline
#endif
%@}
@end example
-@node Locations Overview
+@node Locations
@section Locations
@cindex location
@cindex textual location
Bison provides a mechanism for handling these locations.
Each token has a semantic value. In a similar fashion, each token has an
-associated location, but the type of locations is the same for all tokens and
-groupings. Moreover, the output parser is equipped with a default data
-structure for storing locations (@pxref{Locations}, for more details).
+associated location, but the type of locations is the same for all tokens
+and groupings. Moreover, the output parser is equipped with a default data
+structure for storing locations (@pxref{Tracking Locations}, for more
+details).
Like semantic values, locations can be reached in actions using a dedicated
set of constructs. In the example above, the location of the whole grouping
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
@cindex simple examples
@cindex examples, simple
-Now we show and explain three sample programs written using Bison: a
+Now we show and explain several sample programs written using Bison: a
reverse polish notation calculator, an algebraic (infix) notation
-calculator, and a multi-function calculator. All three have been tested
-under BSD Unix 4.3; each produces a usable, though limited, interactive
-desk-top calculator.
+calculator --- later extended to track ``locations'' ---
+and a multi-function calculator. All
+produce usable, though limited, interactive desk-top calculators.
These examples are simple, but Bison grammars for real programming
languages are written the same way. You can copy these examples into a
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
Here are the grammar rules for the reverse polish notation calculator.
@example
-input: /* empty */
- | input line
+@group
+input:
+ /* empty */
+| input line
;
+@end group
-line: '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
+@group
+line:
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("%.10g\n", $1); @}
;
+@end group
-exp: NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
- | exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
- | exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @}
- | exp exp '*' @{ $$ = $1 * $2; @}
- | exp exp '/' @{ $$ = $1 / $2; @}
- /* Exponentiation */
- | exp exp '^' @{ $$ = pow ($1, $2); @}
- /* Unary minus */
- | exp 'n' @{ $$ = -$1; @}
+@group
+exp:
+ NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
+| exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
+| exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @}
+| exp exp '*' @{ $$ = $1 * $2; @}
+| exp exp '/' @{ $$ = $1 / $2; @}
+| exp exp '^' @{ $$ = pow ($1, $2); @} /* Exponentiation */
+| exp 'n' @{ $$ = -$1; @} /* Unary minus */
;
+@end group
%%
@end example
Consider the definition of @code{input}:
@example
-input: /* empty */
- | input line
+input:
+ /* empty */
+| input line
;
@end example
Now consider the definition of @code{line}:
@example
-line: '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
+line:
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("%.10g\n", $1); @}
;
@end example
followed by a plus-sign. The third handles subtraction, and so on.
@example
-exp: NUM
- | exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
- | exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @}
- @dots{}
- ;
+exp:
+ NUM
+| exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
+| exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @}
+@dots{}
+;
@end example
We have used @samp{|} to join all the rules for @code{exp}, but we could
equally well have written them separately:
@example
-exp: NUM ;
-exp: exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @} ;
-exp: exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @} ;
- @dots{}
+exp: NUM ;
+exp: exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @};
+exp: exp exp '-' @{ $$ = $1 - $2; @};
+@dots{}
@end example
Most of the rules have actions that compute the value of the expression in
For example, this:
@example
-exp : NUM | exp exp '+' @{$$ = $1 + $2; @} | @dots{} ;
+exp: NUM | exp exp '+' @{$$ = $1 + $2; @} | @dots{} ;
@end example
@noindent
means the same thing as this:
@example
-exp: NUM
- | exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
- | @dots{}
+exp:
+ NUM
+| exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
+| @dots{}
;
@end example
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.
/* Skip white space. */
while ((c = getchar ()) == ' ' || c == '\t')
- ;
+ continue;
@end group
@group
/* Process numbers. */
@example
@group
#include <stdio.h>
+@end group
+@group
/* Called by yyparse on error. */
void
yyerror (char const *s)
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
@example
/* Infix notation calculator. */
+@group
%@{
#define YYSTYPE double
#include <math.h>
int yylex (void);
void yyerror (char const *);
%@}
+@end group
+@group
/* Bison declarations. */
%token NUM
%left '-' '+'
%left '*' '/'
%left NEG /* negation--unary minus */
%right '^' /* exponentiation */
+@end group
%% /* The grammar follows. */
-input: /* empty */
- | input line
+@group
+input:
+ /* empty */
+| input line
;
+@end group
-line: '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
+@group
+line:
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
;
+@end group
-exp: NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
- | exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
- | exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
- | exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
- | exp '/' exp @{ $$ = $1 / $3; @}
- | '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
- | exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
- | '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
+@group
+exp:
+ NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
+| exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+| exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
+| exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
+| exp '/' exp @{ $$ = $1 / $3; @}
+| '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
+| exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
+| '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
;
+@end group
%%
@end example
@example
@group
-line: '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
- | error '\n' @{ yyerrok; @}
+line:
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
+| error '\n' @{ yyerrok; @}
;
@end group
@end example
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
@example
@group
-input : /* empty */
- | input line
+input:
+ /* empty */
+| input line
;
@end group
@group
-line : '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("%d\n", $1); @}
+line:
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("%d\n", $1); @}
;
@end group
@group
-exp : NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
- | exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
- | exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
- | exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
+exp:
+ NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
+| exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+| exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
+| exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
@end group
@group
- | exp '/' exp
- @{
- if ($3)
- $$ = $1 / $3;
- else
- @{
- $$ = 1;
- fprintf (stderr, "%d.%d-%d.%d: division by zero",
- @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
- @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
- @}
- @}
+| exp '/' exp
+ @{
+ if ($3)
+ $$ = $1 / $3;
+ else
+ @{
+ $$ = 1;
+ fprintf (stderr, "%d.%d-%d.%d: division by zero",
+ @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
+ @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
+ @}
+ @}
@end group
@group
- | '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
- | exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
- | '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
+| '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
+| exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
+| '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
@end group
@end example
if (c == EOF)
return 0;
+@group
/* Return a single char, and update location. */
if (c == '\n')
@{
++yylloc.last_column;
return c;
@}
+@end group
@end example
Basically, the lexical analyzer performs the same processing as before:
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.
-@smallexample
+@comment file: mfcalc.y
+@example
@group
%@{
#include <math.h> /* For math functions, cos(), sin(), etc. */
%right '^' /* exponentiation */
@end group
%% /* The grammar follows. */
-@end smallexample
+@end example
The above grammar introduces only two new features of the Bison language.
These features allow semantic values to have various data types
Most of them are copied directly from @code{calc}; three rules,
those which mention @code{VAR} or @code{FNCT}, are new.
-@smallexample
+@comment file: mfcalc.y
+@example
@group
-input: /* empty */
- | input line
+input:
+ /* empty */
+| input line
;
@end group
@group
line:
- '\n'
- | exp '\n' @{ printf ("\t%.10g\n", $1); @}
- | error '\n' @{ yyerrok; @}
+ '\n'
+| exp '\n' @{ printf ("%.10g\n", $1); @}
+| error '\n' @{ yyerrok; @}
;
@end group
@group
-exp: NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
- | VAR @{ $$ = $1->value.var; @}
- | VAR '=' exp @{ $$ = $3; $1->value.var = $3; @}
- | FNCT '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = (*($1->value.fnctptr))($3); @}
- | exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
- | exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
- | exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
- | exp '/' exp @{ $$ = $1 / $3; @}
- | '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
- | exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
- | '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
+exp:
+ NUM @{ $$ = $1; @}
+| VAR @{ $$ = $1->value.var; @}
+| VAR '=' exp @{ $$ = $3; $1->value.var = $3; @}
+| FNCT '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = (*($1->value.fnctptr))($3); @}
+| exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+| exp '-' exp @{ $$ = $1 - $3; @}
+| exp '*' exp @{ $$ = $1 * $3; @}
+| exp '/' exp @{ $$ = $1 / $3; @}
+| '-' exp %prec NEG @{ $$ = -$2; @}
+| exp '^' exp @{ $$ = pow ($1, $3); @}
+| '(' exp ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
;
@end group
/* End of grammar. */
%%
-@end smallexample
+@end example
-@node Mfcalc Symtab
+@node Mfcalc Symbol Table
@subsection The @code{mfcalc} Symbol Table
@cindex symbol table example
definition, which is kept in the header @file{calc.h}, is as follows. It
provides for either functions or variables to be placed in the table.
-@smallexample
+@comment file: calc.h
+@example
@group
/* Function type. */
typedef double (*func_t) (double);
symrec *putsym (char const *, int);
symrec *getsym (char const *);
@end group
-@end smallexample
+@end example
The new version of @code{main} includes a call to @code{init_table}, a
function that initializes the symbol table. Here it is, and
@code{init_table} as well:
-@smallexample
+@example
#include <stdio.h>
@group
init_table (void)
@{
int i;
- symrec *ptr;
for (i = 0; arith_fncts[i].fname != 0; i++)
@{
- ptr = putsym (arith_fncts[i].fname, FNCT);
+ symrec *ptr = putsym (arith_fncts[i].fname, FNCT);
ptr->value.fnctptr = arith_fncts[i].fnct;
@}
@}
return yyparse ();
@}
@end group
-@end smallexample
+@end example
By simply editing the initialization list and adding the necessary include
files, you can add additional functions to the calculator.
The function @code{getsym} is passed the name of the symbol to look up. If
found, a pointer to that symbol is returned; otherwise zero is returned.
-@smallexample
+@comment file: mfcalc.y
+@example
+#include <stdlib.h> /* malloc. */
+#include <string.h> /* strlen. */
+
+@group
symrec *
putsym (char const *sym_name, int sym_type)
@{
- symrec *ptr;
- ptr = (symrec *) malloc (sizeof (symrec));
+ symrec *ptr = (symrec *) malloc (sizeof (symrec));
ptr->name = (char *) malloc (strlen (sym_name) + 1);
strcpy (ptr->name,sym_name);
ptr->type = sym_type;
sym_table = ptr;
return ptr;
@}
+@end group
+@group
symrec *
getsym (char const *sym_name)
@{
return ptr;
return 0;
@}
-@end smallexample
+@end group
+@end example
The function @code{yylex} must now recognize variables, numeric values, and
the single-character arithmetic operators. Strings of alphanumeric
No change is needed in the handling of numeric values and arithmetic
operators in @code{yylex}.
-@smallexample
+@comment file: mfcalc.y
+@example
@group
#include <ctype.h>
@end group
int c;
/* Ignore white space, get first nonwhite character. */
- while ((c = getchar ()) == ' ' || c == '\t');
+ while ((c = getchar ()) == ' ' || c == '\t')
+ continue;
if (c == EOF)
return 0;
/* Char starts an identifier => read the name. */
if (isalpha (c))
@{
- symrec *s;
+ /* Initially make the buffer long enough
+ for a 40-character symbol name. */
+ static size_t length = 40;
static char *symbuf = 0;
- static int length = 0;
+ symrec *s;
int i;
@end group
-@group
- /* Initially make the buffer long enough
- for a 40-character symbol name. */
- if (length == 0)
- length = 40, symbuf = (char *)malloc (length + 1);
+ if (!symbuf)
+ symbuf = (char *) malloc (length + 1);
i = 0;
do
-@end group
@group
@{
/* If buffer is full, make it bigger. */
return c;
@}
@end group
-@end smallexample
+@end example
This program is both powerful and flexible. You may easily add new
functions, and it is a simple job to modify this code to install
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
-* Grammar Outline:: Overall layout of the grammar file.
-* Symbols:: Terminal and nonterminal symbols.
-* Rules:: How to write grammar rules.
-* Recursion:: Writing recursive rules.
-* Semantics:: Semantic values and actions.
-* Locations:: Locations and actions.
-* Declarations:: All kinds of Bison declarations are described here.
-* Multiple Parsers:: Putting more than one Bison parser in one program.
+* Grammar Outline:: Overall layout of the grammar file.
+* Symbols:: Terminal and nonterminal symbols.
+* Rules:: How to write grammar rules.
+* Recursion:: Writing recursive rules.
+* Semantics:: Semantic values and actions.
+* Tracking Locations:: Locations and actions.
+* Named References:: Using named references in actions.
+* Declarations:: All kinds of Bison declarations are described here.
+* Multiple Parsers:: Putting more than one Bison parser in one program.
@end menu
@node Grammar Outline
@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
can be done with two @var{Prologue} blocks, one before and one after the
@code{%union} declaration.
-@smallexample
+@example
%@{
#define _GNU_SOURCE
#include <stdio.h>
%@}
@dots{}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
When in doubt, it is usually safer to put prologue code before all
Bison declarations, rather than after. For example, any definitions
@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
-one of @code{requires}, @code{provides}, @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:
-@smallexample
+@example
%@{
#define _GNU_SOURCE
#include <stdio.h>
%@}
@dots{}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@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
Let's go ahead and add the new @code{YYLTYPE} definition and the
@code{trace_token} prototype at the same time:
-@smallexample
+@example
%code top @{
#define _GNU_SOURCE
#include <stdio.h>
@}
@dots{}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@noindent
In this way, @code{%code top} and the unqualified @code{%code} achieve the same
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}
definitions.
Thus, they belong in one or more @code{%code requires}:
-@smallexample
+@example
+@group
%code top @{
#define _GNU_SOURCE
#include <stdio.h>
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code requires @{
#include "ptypes.h"
@}
+@end group
+@group
%union @{
long int n;
tree t; /* @r{@code{tree} is defined in @file{ptypes.h}.} */
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code requires @{
#define YYLTYPE YYLTYPE
typedef struct YYLTYPE
char *filename;
@} YYLTYPE;
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code @{
static void print_token_value (FILE *, int, YYSTYPE);
#define YYPRINT(F, N, L) print_token_value (F, N, L)
static void trace_token (enum yytokentype token, YYLTYPE loc);
@}
+@end group
@dots{}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@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
+@example
+@group
%code top @{
#define _GNU_SOURCE
#include <stdio.h>
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code requires @{
#include "ptypes.h"
@}
+@end group
+@group
%union @{
long int n;
tree t; /* @r{@code{tree} is defined in @file{ptypes.h}.} */
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code requires @{
#define YYLTYPE YYLTYPE
typedef struct YYLTYPE
char *filename;
@} YYLTYPE;
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code provides @{
void trace_token (enum yytokentype token, YYLTYPE loc);
@}
+@end group
+@group
%code @{
static void print_token_value (FILE *, int, YYSTYPE);
#define YYPRINT(F, N, L) print_token_value (F, N, L)
@}
+@end group
@dots{}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@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.
For example, you may organize semantic-type-related directives by semantic
type:
-@smallexample
+@example
+@group
%code requires @{ #include "type1.h" @}
%union @{ type1 field1; @}
%destructor @{ type1_free ($$); @} <field1>
%printer @{ type1_print ($$); @} <field1>
+@end group
+@group
%code requires @{ #include "type2.h" @}
%union @{ type2 field2; @}
%destructor @{ type2_free ($$); @} <field2>
%printer @{ type2_print ($$); @} <field2>
-@end smallexample
+@end group
+@end example
@noindent
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
@example
@group
-@var{result}: @var{components}@dots{}
- ;
+@var{result}: @var{components}@dots{};
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-exp: exp '+' exp
- ;
+exp: exp '+' exp;
@end group
@end example
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
@example
@group
-@var{result}: @var{rule1-components}@dots{}
- | @var{rule2-components}@dots{}
- @dots{}
- ;
+@var{result}:
+ @var{rule1-components}@dots{}
+| @var{rule2-components}@dots{}
+@dots{}
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-expseq: /* empty */
- | expseq1
- ;
+expseq:
+ /* empty */
+| expseq1
+;
@end group
@group
-expseq1: exp
- | expseq1 ',' exp
- ;
+expseq1:
+ exp
+| expseq1 ',' exp
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-expseq1: exp
- | expseq1 ',' exp
- ;
+expseq1:
+ exp
+| expseq1 ',' exp
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-expseq1: exp
- | exp ',' expseq1
- ;
+expseq1:
+ exp
+| exp ',' expseq1
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-expr: primary
- | primary '+' primary
- ;
+expr:
+ primary
+| primary '+' primary
+;
@end group
@group
-primary: constant
- | '(' expr ')'
- ;
+primary:
+ constant
+| '(' expr ')'
+;
@end group
@end example
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{$$} (or @code{$@var{name}}, when it stands
+for the current grouping) is translated to a modifiable lvalue, so it
+can be assigned to.
Here is a typical example:
@example
@group
-exp: @dots{}
- | exp '+' exp
- @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+exp:
+@dots{}
+| exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+Or, in terms of named references:
+
+@example
+@group
+exp[result]:
+@dots{}
+| exp[left] '+' exp[right] @{ $result = $left + $right; @}
@end group
@end example
@noindent
This rule constructs an @code{exp} from two smaller @code{exp} groupings
connected by a plus-sign token. In the action, @code{$1} and @code{$3}
+(@code{$left} and @code{$right})
refer to the semantic values of the two component @code{exp} groupings,
which are the first and third symbols on the right hand side of the rule.
-The sum is stored into @code{$$} so that it becomes the semantic value of
+The sum is stored into @code{$$} (@code{$result}) so that it becomes the
+semantic value of
the addition-expression just recognized by the rule. If there were a
useful semantic value associated with the @samp{+} token, it could be
referred to as @code{$2}.
+@xref{Named References}, for more information about using the named
+references construct.
+
Note that the vertical-bar character @samp{|} is really a rule
separator, and actions are attached to a single rule. This is a
difference with tools like Flex, for which @samp{|} stands for either
@example
@group
-foo: expr bar '+' expr @{ @dots{} @}
- | expr bar '-' expr @{ @dots{} @}
- ;
+foo:
+ expr bar '+' expr @{ @dots{} @}
+| expr bar '-' expr @{ @dots{} @}
+;
@end group
@group
-bar: /* empty */
- @{ previous_expr = $0; @}
- ;
+bar:
+ /* empty */ @{ previous_expr = $0; @}
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-exp: @dots{}
- | exp '+' exp
- @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
+exp:
+ @dots{}
+| exp '+' exp @{ $$ = $1 + $3; @}
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-stmt: LET '(' var ')'
- @{ $<context>$ = push_context ();
- declare_variable ($3); @}
- stmt @{ $$ = $6;
- pop_context ($<context>5); @}
+stmt:
+ LET '(' var ')'
+ @{ $<context>$ = push_context (); declare_variable ($3); @}
+ stmt
+ @{ $$ = $6; pop_context ($<context>5); @}
@end group
@end example
%%
-stmt: let stmt
- @{ $$ = $2;
- pop_context ($1); @}
- ;
+stmt:
+ let stmt
+ @{
+ $$ = $2;
+ pop_context ($1);
+ @};
-let: LET '(' var ')'
- @{ $$ = push_context ();
- declare_variable ($3); @}
- ;
+let:
+ LET '(' var ')'
+ @{
+ $$ = push_context ();
+ declare_variable ($3);
+ @};
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-compound: '@{' declarations statements '@}'
- | '@{' statements '@}'
- ;
+compound:
+ '@{' declarations statements '@}'
+| '@{' statements '@}'
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-compound: @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
- '@{' declarations statements '@}'
+compound:
+ @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
+ '@{' declarations statements '@}'
@end group
@group
- | '@{' statements '@}'
- ;
+| '@{' statements '@}'
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-compound: @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
- '@{' declarations statements '@}'
- | @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
- '@{' statements '@}'
- ;
+compound:
+ @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
+ '@{' declarations statements '@}'
+| @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
+ '@{' statements '@}'
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-compound: '@{' @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
- declarations statements '@}'
- | '@{' statements '@}'
- ;
+compound:
+ '@{' @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
+ declarations statements '@}'
+| '@{' statements '@}'
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-subroutine: /* empty */
- @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
- ;
-
+subroutine:
+ /* empty */ @{ prepare_for_local_variables (); @}
+;
@end group
@group
-compound: subroutine
- '@{' declarations statements '@}'
- | subroutine
- '@{' statements '@}'
- ;
+compound:
+ subroutine '@{' declarations statements '@}'
+| subroutine '@{' statements '@}'
+;
@end group
@end example
Now Bison can execute the action in the rule for @code{subroutine} without
deciding which rule for @code{compound} it will eventually use.
-@node Locations
+@node Tracking Locations
@section Tracking Locations
@cindex location
@cindex textual 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}, for more information about using the named
+references construct.
+
Here is a basic example using the default data type for locations:
@example
@group
-exp: @dots{}
- | exp '/' exp
- @{
- @@$.first_column = @@1.first_column;
- @@$.first_line = @@1.first_line;
- @@$.last_column = @@3.last_column;
- @@$.last_line = @@3.last_line;
- if ($3)
- $$ = $1 / $3;
- else
- @{
- $$ = 1;
- fprintf (stderr,
- "Division by zero, l%d,c%d-l%d,c%d",
- @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
- @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
- @}
- @}
+exp:
+ @dots{}
+| exp '/' exp
+ @{
+ @@$.first_column = @@1.first_column;
+ @@$.first_line = @@1.first_line;
+ @@$.last_column = @@3.last_column;
+ @@$.last_line = @@3.last_line;
+ if ($3)
+ $$ = $1 / $3;
+ else
+ @{
+ $$ = 1;
+ fprintf (stderr,
+ "Division by zero, l%d,c%d-l%d,c%d",
+ @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
+ @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
+ @}
+ @}
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-exp: @dots{}
- | exp '/' exp
- @{
- if ($3)
- $$ = $1 / $3;
- else
- @{
- $$ = 1;
- fprintf (stderr,
- "Division by zero, l%d,c%d-l%d,c%d",
- @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
- @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
- @}
- @}
+exp:
+ @dots{}
+| exp '/' exp
+ @{
+ if ($3)
+ $$ = $1 / $3;
+ else
+ @{
+ $$ = 1;
+ fprintf (stderr,
+ "Division by zero, l%d,c%d-l%d,c%d",
+ @@3.first_line, @@3.first_column,
+ @@3.last_line, @@3.last_column);
+ @}
+ @}
@end group
@end 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
By default, @code{YYLLOC_DEFAULT} is defined this way:
-@smallexample
+@example
@group
-# define YYLLOC_DEFAULT(Current, Rhs, N) \
- do \
- if (N) \
- @{ \
- (Current).first_line = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 1).first_line; \
- (Current).first_column = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 1).first_column; \
- (Current).last_line = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, N).last_line; \
- (Current).last_column = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, N).last_column; \
- @} \
- else \
- @{ \
- (Current).first_line = (Current).last_line = \
- YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 0).last_line; \
- (Current).first_column = (Current).last_column = \
- YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 0).last_column; \
- @} \
- while (0)
+# define YYLLOC_DEFAULT(Cur, Rhs, N) \
+do \
+ if (N) \
+ @{ \
+ (Cur).first_line = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 1).first_line; \
+ (Cur).first_column = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 1).first_column; \
+ (Cur).last_line = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, N).last_line; \
+ (Cur).last_column = YYRHSLOC(Rhs, N).last_column; \
+ @} \
+ else \
+ @{ \
+ (Cur).first_line = (Cur).last_line = \
+ YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 0).last_line; \
+ (Cur).first_column = (Cur).last_column = \
+ YYRHSLOC(Rhs, 0).last_column; \
+ @} \
+while (0)
@end group
-@end smallexample
+@end example
+@noindent
where @code{YYRHSLOC (rhs, k)} is the location of the @var{k}th symbol
in @var{rhs} when @var{k} is positive, and the location of the symbol
just before the reduction when @var{k} and @var{n} are both zero.
statement when it is followed by a semicolon.
@end itemize
-@node Declarations
-@section Bison Declarations
-@cindex declarations, Bison
-@cindex Bison declarations
-
-The @dfn{Bison declarations} section of a Bison grammar defines the symbols
-used in formulating the grammar and the data types of semantic values.
-@xref{Symbols}.
-
-All token type names (but not single-character literal tokens such as
-@code{'+'} and @code{'*'}) must be declared. Nonterminal symbols must be
-declared if you need to specify which data type to use for the semantic
-value (@pxref{Multiple Types, ,More Than One Value Type}).
+@node Named References
+@section Named References
+@cindex named references
-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}).
+As described in the preceding sections, the traditional way to refer to any
+semantic value or location is a @dfn{positional reference}, which takes the
+form @code{$@var{n}}, @code{$$}, @code{@@@var{n}}, and @code{@@$}. However,
+such a reference is not very descriptive. Moreover, if you later decide to
+insert or remove symbols in the right-hand side of a grammar rule, the need
+to renumber such references can be tedious and error-prone.
-@menu
-* Require Decl:: Requiring a Bison version.
-* Token Decl:: Declaring terminal symbols.
-* Precedence Decl:: Declaring terminals with precedence and associativity.
-* Union Decl:: Declaring the set of all semantic value types.
-* Type Decl:: Declaring the choice of type for a nonterminal symbol.
-* Initial Action Decl:: Code run before parsing starts.
-* Destructor Decl:: Declaring how symbols are freed.
-* Expect Decl:: Suppressing warnings about parsing conflicts.
-* Start Decl:: Specifying the start symbol.
-* Pure Decl:: Requesting a reentrant parser.
-* Decl Summary:: Table of all Bison declarations.
-@end menu
+To avoid these issues, you can also refer to a semantic value or location
+using a @dfn{named reference}. First of all, original symbol names may be
+used as named references. For example:
-@node Require Decl
-@subsection Require a Version of Bison
-@cindex version requirement
-@cindex requiring a version of Bison
-@findex %require
+@example
+@group
+invocation: op '(' args ')'
+ @{ $invocation = new_invocation ($op, $args, @@invocation); @}
+@end group
+@end example
-You may require the minimum version of Bison to process the grammar. If
-the requirement is not met, @command{bison} exits with an error (exit
-status 63).
+@noindent
+Positional and named references can be mixed arbitrarily. For example:
@example
-%require "@var{version}"
+@group
+invocation: op '(' args ')'
+ @{ $$ = new_invocation ($op, $args, @@$); @}
+@end group
@end example
-@node Token Decl
+@noindent
+However, sometimes regular symbol names are not sufficient due to
+ambiguities:
+
+@example
+@group
+exp: exp '/' exp
+ @{ $exp = $exp / $exp; @} // $exp is ambiguous.
+
+exp: exp '/' exp
+ @{ $$ = $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
+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
+@samp{$name.suffix} as a reference to symbol value @code{$name} followed by
+@samp{.suffix}, i.e., an access to the @code{suffix} field of the semantic
+value. In order to force Bison to recognize @samp{name.suffix} in its
+entirety as the name of a semantic value, the bracketed syntax
+@samp{$[name.suffix]} must be used.
+
+The named references feature is experimental. More user feedback will help
+to stabilize it.
+
+@node Declarations
+@section Bison Declarations
+@cindex declarations, Bison
+@cindex Bison declarations
+
+The @dfn{Bison declarations} section of a Bison grammar defines the symbols
+used in formulating the grammar and the data types of semantic values.
+@xref{Symbols}.
+
+All token type names (but not single-character literal tokens such as
+@code{'+'} and @code{'*'}) must be declared. Nonterminal symbols must be
+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 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.
+* Token Decl:: Declaring terminal symbols.
+* Precedence Decl:: Declaring terminals with precedence and associativity.
+* Union Decl:: Declaring the set of all semantic value types.
+* Type Decl:: Declaring the choice of type for a nonterminal symbol.
+* Initial Action Decl:: Code run before parsing starts.
+* Destructor Decl:: Declaring how symbols are freed.
+* 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.
+* %define Summary:: Defining variables to adjust Bison's behavior.
+* %code Summary:: Inserting code into the parser source.
+@end menu
+
+@node Require Decl
+@subsection Require a Version of Bison
+@cindex version requirement
+@cindex requiring a version of Bison
+@findex %require
+
+You may require the minimum version of Bison to process the grammar. If
+the requirement is not met, @command{bison} exits with an error (exit
+status 63).
+
+@example
+%require "@var{version}"
+@end example
+
+@node Token Decl
@subsection Token Type Names
@cindex declaring token type names
@cindex token type names, declaring
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.
@noindent
For example:
-@smallexample
+@example
%union @{ char *string; @}
%token <string> STRING1
%token <string> STRING2
%destructor @{ free ($$); @} <*>
%destructor @{ free ($$); printf ("%d", @@$.first_line); @} STRING1 string1
%destructor @{ printf ("Discarding tagless symbol.\n"); @} <>
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@noindent
guarantees that, when the parser discards any user-defined symbol that has a
However, it may invoke one of them for the end token (token 0) if you
redefine it from @code{$end} to, for example, @code{END}:
-@smallexample
+@example
%token END 0
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@cindex actions in mid-rule
@cindex mid-rule actions
Finally, Bison will never invoke a @code{%destructor} for an unreferenced
mid-rule semantic value (@pxref{Mid-Rule Actions,,Actions in Mid-Rule}).
-That is, Bison does not consider a mid-rule to have a semantic value if you do
-not reference @code{$$} in the mid-rule's action or @code{$@var{n}} (where
-@var{n} is the RHS symbol position of the mid-rule) in any later action in that
-rule.
-However, if you do reference either, the Bison-generated parser will invoke the
-@code{<>} @code{%destructor} whenever it discards the mid-rule symbol.
+That is, Bison does not consider a mid-rule to have a semantic value if you
+do not reference @code{$$} in the mid-rule's action or @code{$@var{n}}
+(where @var{n} is the right-hand side symbol position of the mid-rule) in
+any later action in that rule. However, if you do reference either, the
+Bison-generated parser will invoke the @code{<>} @code{%destructor} whenever
+it discards the mid-rule symbol.
@ignore
@noindent
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{%define Summary,,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 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 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}.
-
-For Java, the default location is inside the parser class.
-
-(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
-
-@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 values of @var{qualifier} are available for all target languages:
-
-@itemize @bullet
-@findex %code requires
-@item 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 source code 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 source code 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 source code file.
-For example:
-
-@smallexample
-%code top @{
- #define _GNU_SOURCE
- #include <stdio.h>
-@}
-@end smallexample
-
-@item Location(s): Near the top of the parser source code 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
-
-(Like all the Yacc prologue alternatives, this directive is experimental.
-More user feedback will help to determine whether it should become a permanent
-feature.)
-
-@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}.
+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
@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.
+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
-@xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
@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.
-The possible choices for @var{variable}, as well as their meanings, depend on
-the selected target language and/or the parser skeleton (@pxref{Decl
-Summary,,%language}).
-
-Bison will warn if a @var{variable} is defined multiple times.
-
-Omitting @code{"@var{value}"} is always equivalent to specifying it as
-@code{""}.
-
-Some @var{variable}s may be used as booleans.
-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 is @code{""}).
-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, which may depend on the selected
-target language and/or parser skeleton.
-@end enumerate
+Define a variable to adjust Bison's behavior. @xref{%define Summary}.
@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{YYLTYPE} and @code{yylloc} using a protocol similar to that of
-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}.
+@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{Tracking Locations}.
+
+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
-@ifset defaultprec
-@deffn {Directive} %no-default-prec
-Do not assign a precedence to rules lacking an explicit @code{%prec}
-modifier (@pxref{Contextual Precedence, ,Context-Dependent
-Precedence}).
-@end deffn
-@end ifset
+@ifset defaultprec
+@deffn {Directive} %no-default-prec
+Do not assign a precedence to rules lacking an explicit @code{%prec}
+modifier (@pxref{Contextual Precedence, ,Context-Dependent
+Precedence}).
+@end deffn
+@end ifset
+
+@deffn {Directive} %no-lines
+Don't generate any @code{#line} preprocessor commands in the parser
+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 implementation file.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %pure-parser
+Deprecated version of @code{%define api.pure} (@pxref{%define
+Summary,,api.pure}), for which Bison is more careful to warn about
+unreasonable usage.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %require "@var{version}"
+Require version @var{version} or higher of Bison. @xref{Require Decl, ,
+Require a Version of Bison}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %skeleton "@var{file}"
+Specify the skeleton to use.
+
+@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.
+If it does, @var{file} is an absolute file name or a file name relative to the
+directory of the grammar file.
+This is similar to how most shells resolve commands.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %token-table
+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
+strings, this includes the surrounding quoting characters and any
+escape sequences. For example, the Bison single-character literal
+@code{'+'} corresponds to a three-character name, represented in C as
+@code{"'+'"}; and the Bison two-character literal string @code{"\\/"}
+corresponds to a five-character name, represented in C as
+@code{"\"\\\\/\""}.
+
+When you specify @code{%token-table}, Bison also generates macro
+definitions for macros @code{YYNTOKENS}, @code{YYNNTS}, and
+@code{YYNRULES}, and @code{YYNSTATES}:
+
+@table @code
+@item YYNTOKENS
+The highest token number, plus one.
+@item YYNNTS
+The number of nonterminal symbols.
+@item YYNRULES
+The number of grammar rules,
+@item YYNSTATES
+The number of parser states (@pxref{Parser States}).
+@end table
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Directive} %verbose
+Write an extra output file containing verbose descriptions of the
+parser states and what is done for each type of lookahead token in
+that state. @xref{Understanding, , Understanding Your Parser}, for more
+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.
+@end deffn
+
+
+@node %define Summary
+@subsection %define Summary
+
+There are many features of Bison's behavior that can be controlled by
+assigning the feature a single value. For historical reasons, some
+such features are assigned values by dedicated directives, such as
+@code{%start}, which assigns the start symbol. However, newer such
+features are associated with variables, which are assigned by the
+@code{%define} directive:
+
+@deffn {Directive} %define @var{variable}
+@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{variable} @var{value}
+@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{variable} "@var{value}"
+Define @var{variable} to @var{value}.
+
+@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. Omitting @code{"@var{value}"} entirely is always equivalent
+to specifying @code{""}.
+
+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}]}.
+@end deffn
+
+The rest of this section summarizes variables and values that
+@code{%define} accepts.
+
+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
+@c ================================================== api.pure
+@item api.pure
+@findex %define api.pure
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C
+
+@item Purpose: Request a pure (reentrant) parser program.
+@xref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure (Reentrant) Parser}.
+
+@item Accepted Values: Boolean
+
+@item Default Value: @code{false}
+@end itemize
+
+@item api.push-pull
+@findex %define api.push-pull
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C (deterministic parsers only)
+
+@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 Default Value: @code{pull}
+@end itemize
+
+@c ================================================== lr.default-reductions
+
+@item lr.default-reductions
+@findex %define lr.default-reductions
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): all
+
+@item Purpose: Specify the kind of states that are permitted to
+contain default reductions. @xref{Default Reductions}. (The ability to
+specify where default reductions should be used is experimental. More user
+feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+@item Accepted Values: @code{most}, @code{consistent}, @code{accepting}
+@item Default Value:
+@itemize
+@item @code{accepting} if @code{lr.type} is @code{canonical-lr}.
+@item @code{most} otherwise.
+@end itemize
+@end itemize
+
+@c ============================================ lr.keep-unreachable-states
+
+@item lr.keep-unreachable-states
+@findex %define lr.keep-unreachable-states
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): all
+@item Purpose: Request that Bison allow unreachable parser states to
+remain in the parser tables. @xref{Unreachable States}.
+@item Accepted Values: Boolean
+@item Default Value: @code{false}
+@end itemize
+
+@c ================================================== lr.type
+
+@item lr.type
+@findex %define lr.type
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): all
+
+@item Purpose: Specify the type of parser tables within the
+LR(1) family. @xref{LR Table Construction}. (This feature is experimental.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+
+@item Accepted Values: @code{lalr}, @code{ielr}, @code{canonical-lr}
+
+@item Default Value: @code{lalr}
+@end itemize
+
+@item namespace
+@findex %define namespace
+
+@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
+
+@itemize
+@item Languages(s): C (deterministic parsers only)
+
+@item Purpose: Enable LAC (lookahead correction) to improve
+syntax error handling. @xref{LAC}.
+@item Accepted Values: @code{none}, @code{full}
+@item Default Value: @code{none}
+@end itemize
+@end itemize
+
+
+@node %code Summary
+@subsection %code Summary
+@findex %code
+@cindex Prologue
+
+The @code{%code} directive inserts code verbatim into the output
+parser source at any of a predefined set of locations. It thus serves
+as a flexible and user-friendly alternative to the traditional Yacc
+prologue, @code{%@{@var{code}%@}}. This section summarizes the
+functionality of @code{%code} for the various target languages
+supported by Bison. For a detailed discussion of how to use
+@code{%code} in place of @code{%@{@var{code}%@}} for C/C++ and why it
+is advantageous to do so, @pxref{Prologue Alternatives}.
-@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.
+@deffn {Directive} %code @{@var{code}@}
+This is the unqualified form of the @code{%code} directive. It
+inserts @var{code} verbatim at a language-dependent default location
+in the parser implementation.
-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
+For C/C++, the default location is the parser implementation file
+after the usual contents of the parser header file. Thus, the
+unqualified form replaces @code{%@{@var{code}%@}} for most purposes.
-@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.
+For Java, the default location is inside the parser class.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Directive} %output "@var{file}"
-Specify @var{file} for the parser file.
+@deffn {Directive} %code @var{qualifier} @{@var{code}@}
+This is the qualified form of the @code{%code} directive.
+@var{qualifier} identifies the purpose of @var{code} and thus the
+location(s) where Bison should insert it. That is, if you need to
+specify location-sensitive @var{code} that does not belong at the
+default location selected by the unqualified @code{%code} form, use
+this form instead.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Directive} %pure-parser
-Request a pure (reentrant) parser program (@pxref{Pure Decl, ,A Pure
-(Reentrant) Parser}).
-@end deffn
+For any particular qualifier or for the unqualified form, if there are
+multiple occurrences of the @code{%code} directive, Bison concatenates
+the specified code in the order in which it appears in the grammar
+file.
-@deffn {Directive} %require "@var{version}"
-Require version @var{version} or higher of Bison. @xref{Require Decl, ,
-Require a Version of Bison}.
-@end deffn
+Not all qualifiers are accepted for all target languages. Unaccepted
+qualifiers produce an error. Some of the accepted qualifiers are:
-@deffn {Directive} %skeleton "@var{file}"
-Specify the skeleton to use.
+@itemize @bullet
+@item requires
+@findex %code requires
-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.
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C, C++
-If @var{file} does not contain a @code{/}, @var{file} is the name of a skeleton
-file in the Bison installation directory.
-If it does, @var{file} is an absolute file name or a file name relative to the
-directory of the grammar file.
-This is similar to how most shells resolve commands.
-@end deffn
+@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.
-@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.
+@item Location(s): The parser header file and the parser implementation file
+before the Bison-generated @code{YYSTYPE} and @code{YYLTYPE}
+definitions.
+@end itemize
-The name in the table includes all the characters needed to represent
-the token in Bison. For single-character literals and literal
-strings, this includes the surrounding quoting characters and any
-escape sequences. For example, the Bison single-character literal
-@code{'+'} corresponds to a three-character name, represented in C as
-@code{"'+'"}; and the Bison two-character literal string @code{"\\/"}
-corresponds to a five-character name, represented in C as
-@code{"\"\\\\/\""}.
+@item provides
+@findex %code provides
-When you specify @code{%token-table}, Bison also generates macro
-definitions for macros @code{YYNTOKENS}, @code{YYNNTS}, and
-@code{YYNRULES}, and @code{YYNSTATES}:
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Language(s): C, C++
-@table @code
-@item YYNTOKENS
-The highest token number, plus one.
-@item YYNNTS
-The number of nonterminal symbols.
-@item YYNRULES
-The number of grammar rules,
-@item YYNSTATES
-The number of parser states (@pxref{Parser States}).
-@end table
-@end deffn
+@item Purpose: This is the best place to write additional definitions and
+declarations that should be provided to other modules.
-@deffn {Directive} %verbose
-Write an extra output file containing verbose descriptions of the
-parser states and what is done for each type of lookahead token in
-that state. @xref{Understanding, , Understanding Your Parser}, for more
-information.
-@end deffn
+@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
-@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
+@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:
+
+@example
+%code top @{
+ #define _GNU_SOURCE
+ #include <stdio.h>
+@}
+@end example
+
+@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
+
+Though we say the insertion locations are language-dependent, they are
+technically skeleton-dependent. Writers of non-standard skeletons
+however should choose their locations consistently with the behavior
+of the standard Bison skeletons.
@node Multiple Parsers
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.
@code{token_buffer}, and assuming that the token does not contain any
characters like @samp{"} that require escaping.
-@smallexample
+@example
for (i = 0; i < YYNTOKENS; i++)
@{
if (yytname[i] != 0
&& yytname[i][strlen (token_buffer) + 2] == 0)
break;
@}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
The @code{yytname} table is generated only if you use the
@code{%token-table} declaration. @xref{Decl Summary}.
@subsection Textual Locations of Tokens
@vindex yylloc
-If you are using the @samp{@@@var{n}}-feature (@pxref{Locations, ,
-Tracking Locations}) in actions to keep track of the textual locations
-of tokens and groupings, then you must provide this information in
-@code{yylex}. The function @code{yyparse} expects to find the textual
-location of a token just parsed in the global variable @code{yylloc}.
-So @code{yylex} must store the proper data in that variable.
+If you are using the @samp{@@@var{n}}-feature (@pxref{Tracking Locations})
+in actions to keep track of the textual locations of tokens and groupings,
+then you must provide this information in @code{yylex}. The function
+@code{yyparse} expects to find the textual location of a token just parsed
+in the global variable @code{yylloc}. So @code{yylex} must store the proper
+data in that variable.
By default, the value of @code{yylloc} is a structure and you need only
initialize the members that are going to be used by the actions. The
@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);
@w{@code{"syntax error"}}.
@findex %error-verbose
-If you invoke the directive @code{%error-verbose} in the Bison
-declarations section (@pxref{Bison Declarations, ,The Bison Declarations
-Section}), then Bison provides a more verbose and specific error message
-string instead of just plain @w{@code{"syntax error"}}.
+If you invoke the directive @code{%error-verbose} in the Bison declarations
+section (@pxref{Bison Declarations, ,The Bison Declarations Section}), then
+Bison provides a more verbose and specific error message string instead of
+just plain @w{@code{"syntax error"}}. However, that message sometimes
+contains incorrect information if LAC is not enabled (@pxref{LAC}).
The parser can detect one other kind of error: memory exhaustion. This
can happen when the input contains constructions that are very deeply
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.
@deffn {Value} @@$
@findex @@$
-Acts like a structure variable containing information on the textual location
-of the grouping made by the current rule. @xref{Locations, ,
-Tracking Locations}.
+Acts like a structure variable containing information on the textual
+location of the grouping made by the current rule. @xref{Tracking
+Locations}.
@c Check if those paragraphs are still useful or not.
@deffn {Value} @@@var{n}
@findex @@@var{n}
-Acts like a structure variable containing information on the textual location
-of the @var{n}th component of the current rule. @xref{Locations, ,
-Tracking Locations}.
+Acts like a structure variable containing information on the textual
+location of the @var{n}th component of the current rule. @xref{Tracking
+Locations}.
@end deffn
@node Internationalization
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.
+* Mysterious Conflicts:: Conflicts that look unjustified.
+* Tuning LR:: How to tune fundamental aspects of LR-based parsing.
* Generalized LR Parsing:: Parsing arbitrary context-free grammars.
* Memory Management:: What happens when memory is exhausted. How to avoid it.
@end menu
@example
@group
-expr: term '+' expr
- | term
- ;
+expr:
+ term '+' expr
+| term
+;
@end group
@group
-term: '(' expr ')'
- | term '!'
- | NUMBER
- ;
+term:
+ '(' expr ')'
+| term '!'
+| NUMBER
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
if_stmt:
- IF expr THEN stmt
- | IF expr THEN stmt ELSE stmt
- ;
+ IF expr THEN stmt
+| IF expr THEN stmt ELSE stmt
+;
@end group
@end example
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
%%
@end group
@group
-stmt: expr
- | if_stmt
- ;
+stmt:
+ expr
+| if_stmt
+;
@end group
@group
if_stmt:
- IF expr THEN stmt
- | IF expr THEN stmt ELSE stmt
- ;
+ IF expr THEN stmt
+| IF expr THEN stmt ELSE stmt
+;
@end group
-expr: variable
- ;
+expr:
+ variable
+;
@end example
@node Precedence
@example
@group
-expr: expr '-' expr
- | expr '*' expr
- | expr '<' expr
- | '(' expr ')'
- @dots{}
- ;
+expr:
+ expr '-' expr
+| expr '*' expr
+| expr '<' expr
+| '(' expr ')'
+@dots{}
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
@group
-exp: @dots{}
- | exp '-' exp
- @dots{}
- | '-' exp %prec UMINUS
+exp:
+ @dots{}
+| exp '-' exp
+ @dots{}
+| '-' exp %prec UMINUS
@end group
@end example
of zero or more @code{word} groupings.
@example
-sequence: /* empty */
- @{ printf ("empty sequence\n"); @}
- | maybeword
- | sequence word
- @{ printf ("added word %s\n", $2); @}
- ;
+@group
+sequence:
+ /* empty */ @{ printf ("empty sequence\n"); @}
+| maybeword
+| sequence word @{ printf ("added word %s\n", $2); @}
+;
+@end group
-maybeword: /* empty */
- @{ printf ("empty maybeword\n"); @}
- | word
- @{ printf ("single word %s\n", $1); @}
- ;
+@group
+maybeword:
+ /* empty */ @{ printf ("empty maybeword\n"); @}
+| word @{ printf ("single word %s\n", $1); @}
+;
+@end group
@end example
@noindent
proper way to define @code{sequence}:
@example
-sequence: /* empty */
- @{ printf ("empty sequence\n"); @}
- | sequence word
- @{ printf ("added word %s\n", $2); @}
- ;
+sequence:
+ /* empty */ @{ printf ("empty sequence\n"); @}
+| sequence word @{ printf ("added word %s\n", $2); @}
+;
@end example
Here is another common error that yields a reduce/reduce conflict:
@example
-sequence: /* empty */
- | sequence words
- | sequence redirects
- ;
+sequence:
+ /* empty */
+| sequence words
+| sequence redirects
+;
-words: /* empty */
- | words word
- ;
+words:
+ /* empty */
+| words word
+;
-redirects:/* empty */
- | redirects redirect
- ;
+redirects:
+ /* empty */
+| redirects redirect
+;
@end example
@noindent
of sequence:
@example
-sequence: /* empty */
- | sequence word
- | sequence redirect
- ;
+sequence:
+ /* empty */
+| sequence word
+| sequence redirect
+;
@end example
Second, to prevent either a @code{words} or a @code{redirects}
from being empty:
@example
-sequence: /* empty */
- | sequence words
- | sequence redirects
- ;
+@group
+sequence:
+ /* empty */
+| sequence words
+| sequence redirects
+;
+@end group
-words: word
- | words word
- ;
+@group
+words:
+ word
+| words word
+;
+@end group
-redirects:redirect
- | redirects redirect
- ;
+@group
+redirects:
+ redirect
+| redirects redirect
+;
+@end group
@end example
-@node Mystery Conflicts
-@section Mysterious Reduce/Reduce Conflicts
+@node Mysterious Conflicts
+@section Mysterious Conflicts
+@cindex Mysterious Conflicts
Sometimes reduce/reduce conflicts can occur that don't look warranted.
Here is an example:
%token ID
%%
-def: param_spec return_spec ','
- ;
+def: param_spec return_spec ',';
param_spec:
- type
- | name_list ':' type
- ;
+ type
+| name_list ':' type
+;
@end group
@group
return_spec:
- type
- | name ':' type
- ;
+ type
+| name ':' type
+;
@end group
@group
-type: ID
- ;
+type: ID;
@end group
@group
-name: ID
- ;
+name: ID;
name_list:
- name
- | name ',' name_list
- ;
+ name
+| name ',' name_list
+;
@end group
@end example
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
+@cindex LALR
+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).
+
+@cindex IELR
+@cindex canonical LR
+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 construction algorithm. Either
+IELR(1) or canonical LR(1) would suffice, but the former is more efficient
+and easier to debug during development. @xref{LR Table Construction}, 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
%%
@dots{}
return_spec:
- type
- | name ':' type
- /* This rule is never used. */
- | ID BOGUS
- ;
+ type
+| name ':' type
+| ID BOGUS /* This rule is never used. */
+;
@end group
@end example
@example
param_spec:
- type
- | name_list ':' type
- ;
+ type
+| name_list ':' type
+;
return_spec:
- type
- | ID ':' type
- ;
+ type
+| ID ':' type
+;
+@end example
+
+For a more detailed exposition of LALR(1) parsers and parser
+generators, @pxref{Bibliography,,DeRemer 1982}.
+
+@node Tuning LR
+@section Tuning LR
+
+The default behavior of Bison's LR-based parsers is chosen mostly for
+historical reasons, but that behavior is often not robust. For example, in
+the previous section, we discussed the mysterious conflicts that can be
+produced by LALR(1), Bison's default parser table construction algorithm.
+Another example is Bison's @code{%error-verbose} directive, which instructs
+the generated parser to produce verbose syntax error messages, which can
+sometimes contain incorrect information.
+
+In this section, we explore several modern features of Bison that allow you
+to tune fundamental aspects of the generated LR-based parsers. Some of
+these features easily eliminate shortcomings like those mentioned above.
+Others can be helpful purely for understanding your parser.
+
+Most of the features discussed in this section are still experimental. More
+user feedback will help to stabilize them.
+
+@menu
+* LR Table Construction:: Choose a different construction algorithm.
+* Default Reductions:: Disable default reductions.
+* LAC:: Correct lookahead sets in the parser states.
+* Unreachable States:: Keep unreachable parser states for debugging.
+@end menu
+
+@node LR Table Construction
+@subsection LR Table Construction
+@cindex Mysterious Conflict
+@cindex LALR
+@cindex IELR
+@cindex canonical LR
+@findex %define lr.type
+
+For historical reasons, Bison constructs LALR(1) parser tables by default.
+However, LALR does not possess the full language-recognition power of LR.
+As a result, the behavior of parsers employing LALR parser tables is often
+mysterious. We presented a simple example of this effect in @ref{Mysterious
+Conflicts}.
+
+As we also demonstrated in that example, the traditional approach to
+eliminating such mysterious behavior is to restructure the grammar.
+Unfortunately, doing so correctly is often difficult. Moreover, merely
+discovering that LALR causes mysterious behavior in your parser can be
+difficult as well.
+
+Fortunately, Bison provides an easy way to eliminate the possibility of such
+mysterious behavior altogether. You simply need to activate a more powerful
+parser table construction algorithm by using the @code{%define lr.type}
+directive.
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define lr.type @var{TYPE}}
+Specify the type of parser tables within the LR(1) family. The accepted
+values for @var{TYPE} are:
+
+@itemize
+@item @code{lalr} (default)
+@item @code{ielr}
+@item @code{canonical-lr}
+@end itemize
+
+(This feature is experimental. More user feedback will help to stabilize
+it.)
+@end deffn
+
+For example, to activate IELR, you might add the following directive to you
+grammar file:
+
+@example
+%define lr.type ielr
@end example
-For a more detailed exposition of @acronym{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
-Programming Languages and Systems}, Vol.@: 4, No.@: 4 (October 1982),
-pp.@: 615--649 @uref{http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/69622.357187}.
+@noindent For the example in @ref{Mysterious Conflicts}, the mysterious
+conflict is then eliminated, so there is no need to invest time in
+comprehending the conflict or restructuring the grammar to fix it. If,
+during future development, the grammar evolves such that all mysterious
+behavior would have disappeared using just LALR, you need not fear that
+continuing to use IELR will result in unnecessarily large parser tables.
+That is, IELR generates LALR tables when LALR (using a deterministic parsing
+algorithm) is sufficient to support the full language-recognition power of
+LR. Thus, by enabling IELR at the start of grammar development, you can
+safely and completely eliminate the need to consider LALR's shortcomings.
+
+While IELR is almost always preferable, there are circumstances where LALR
+or the canonical LR parser tables described by Knuth
+(@pxref{Bibliography,,Knuth 1965}) can be useful. Here we summarize the
+relative advantages of each parser table construction algorithm within
+Bison:
+
+@itemize
+@item LALR
+
+There are at least two scenarios where LALR can be worthwhile:
+
+@itemize
+@item GLR without static conflict resolution.
+
+@cindex GLR with LALR
+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 choice of parser table construction algorithm is guaranteed not to alter
+the language accepted by the parser. LALR parser tables are the smallest
+parser tables Bison can currently construct, so they may then be preferable.
+Nevertheless, once you begin to resolve conflicts statically, GLR behaves
+more like a deterministic parser in the syntactic contexts where those
+conflicts appear, and so either IELR or canonical LR can then be helpful to
+avoid LALR's mysterious behavior.
+
+@item Malformed grammars.
+
+Occasionally during development, an especially malformed grammar with a
+major recurring flaw may severely impede the IELR or canonical LR parser
+table construction algorithm. LALR can be a quick way to construct parser
+tables in order to investigate such problems while ignoring the more subtle
+differences from IELR and canonical LR.
+@end itemize
+
+@item IELR
+
+IELR (Inadequacy Elimination LR) is a minimal LR algorithm. That is, given
+any grammar (LR or non-LR), parsers using IELR or canonical LR parser tables
+always accept exactly the same set of sentences. However, like LALR, IELR
+merges parser states during parser table construction so that the number of
+parser states is often an order of magnitude less 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 effect can
+significantly reduce the complexity of developing a grammar.
+
+@item Canonical LR
+
+@cindex delayed syntax error detection
+@cindex LAC
+@findex %nonassoc
+While inefficient, canonical LR parser tables can be an interesting means to
+explore a grammar because they possess a property that IELR and LALR tables
+do not. That is, if @code{%nonassoc} is not used and default reductions are
+left disabled (@pxref{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 that use LAC are also
+able to achieve this behavior without sacrificing @code{%nonassoc} or
+default reductions. For details and a few caveats of LAC, @pxref{LAC}.
+@end itemize
+
+For a more detailed exposition of the mysterious behavior in LALR parsers
+and the benefits of IELR, @pxref{Bibliography,,Denny 2008 March}, and
+@ref{Bibliography,,Denny 2010 November}.
+
+@node Default Reductions
+@subsection Default Reductions
+@cindex default reductions
+@findex %define lr.default-reductions
+@findex %nonassoc
+
+After parser table construction, Bison identifies the reduction with the
+largest lookahead set in each parser state. To reduce the size of the
+parser state, traditional Bison behavior is to remove that lookahead set and
+to assign that reduction to be the default parser action. Such a reduction
+is known as a @dfn{default reduction}.
+
+Default reductions affect more than the size of the parser tables. They
+also affect the behavior of the parser:
+
+@itemize
+@item Delayed @code{yylex} invocations.
+
+@cindex delayed yylex invocations
+@cindex consistent states
+@cindex defaulted states
+A @dfn{consistent state} is a state that has only one possible parser
+action. If that action is a reduction and is encoded as a default
+reduction, then that consistent state is called a @dfn{defaulted state}.
+Upon reaching a defaulted state, a Bison-generated parser does not bother to
+invoke @code{yylex} to fetch the next token before performing the reduction.
+In other words, whether default reductions are enabled in consistent states
+determines how soon a Bison-generated parser invokes @code{yylex} for a
+token: immediately when it @emph{reaches} that token in the input or when it
+eventually @emph{needs} that token as a lookahead to determine the next
+parser action. Traditionally, default reductions are enabled, and so the
+parser exhibits the latter behavior.
+
+The presence of defaulted states is an important consideration when
+designing @code{yylex} and the grammar file. That is, if the behavior of
+@code{yylex} can influence or be influenced by the semantic actions
+associated with the reductions in defaulted states, then the delay of the
+next @code{yylex} invocation until after those reductions is significant.
+For example, the semantic actions might pop a scope stack that @code{yylex}
+uses to determine what token to return. Thus, the delay might be necessary
+to ensure that @code{yylex} does not look up the next token in a scope that
+should already be considered closed.
+
+@item Delayed syntax error detection.
+
+@cindex delayed syntax error detection
+When the parser fetches a new token by invoking @code{yylex}, it checks
+whether there is an action for that token in the current parser state. The
+parser detects a syntax error if and only if either (1) there is no action
+for that token or (2) the action for that token is the error action (due to
+the use of @code{%nonassoc}). However, if there is a default reduction in
+that state (which might or might not be a defaulted state), then it is
+impossible for condition 1 to exist. That is, all tokens have an action.
+Thus, the parser sometimes fails to detect the syntax error until it reaches
+a later state.
+
+@cindex LAC
+@c If there's an infinite loop, default reductions can prevent an incorrect
+@c sentence from being rejected.
+While default reductions never cause the parser to accept syntactically
+incorrect sentences, the delay of syntax error detection can have unexpected
+effects on the behavior of the parser. However, the delay can be caused
+anyway by parser state merging and the use of @code{%nonassoc}, and it can
+be fixed by another Bison feature, LAC. We discuss the effects of delayed
+syntax error detection and LAC more in the next section (@pxref{LAC}).
+@end itemize
+
+For canonical LR, the only default reduction that Bison enables by default
+is the accept action, which appears only in the accepting state, which has
+no other action and is thus a defaulted state. However, the default accept
+action does not delay any @code{yylex} invocation or syntax error detection
+because the accept action ends the parse.
+
+For LALR and IELR, Bison enables default reductions in nearly all states by
+default. There are only two exceptions. First, states that have a shift
+action on the @code{error} token do not have default reductions because
+delayed syntax error detection could then prevent the @code{error} token
+from ever being shifted in that state. However, parser state merging can
+cause the same effect anyway, and LAC fixes it in both cases, so future
+versions of Bison might drop this exception when LAC is activated. Second,
+GLR parsers do not record the default reduction as the action on a lookahead
+token for which there is a conflict. The correct action in this case is to
+split the parse instead.
+
+To adjust which states have default reductions enabled, use the
+@code{%define lr.default-reductions} directive.
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define lr.default-reductions @var{WHERE}}
+Specify the kind of states that are permitted to contain default reductions.
+The accepted values of @var{WHERE} are:
+@itemize
+@item @code{most} (default for LALR and IELR)
+@item @code{consistent}
+@item @code{accepting} (default for canonical LR)
+@end itemize
+
+(The ability to specify where default reductions are permitted is
+experimental. More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
+@end deffn
+
+@node LAC
+@subsection LAC
+@findex %define parse.lac
+@cindex LAC
+@cindex lookahead correction
+
+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 can 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 (@pxref{Error
+Reporting}), 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 (@pxref{Default Reductions}), and parser state
+merging. Because IELR and LALR merge parser states, they suffer the most.
+Canonical LR can suffer only if @code{%nonassoc} is used or if default
+reductions are enabled for inconsistent states.
+
+LAC (Lookahead Correction) is a new mechanism within the parsing algorithm
+that solves these problems for canonical LR, IELR, and LALR without
+sacrificing @code{%nonassoc}, default reductions, or state merging. You can
+enable LAC with the @code{%define parse.lac} directive.
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define parse.lac @var{VALUE}}
+Enable LAC to improve syntax error handling.
+@itemize
+@item @code{none} (default)
+@item @code{full}
+@end itemize
+(This feature is experimental. More user feedback will help to stabilize
+it. Moreover, it is currently only available for deterministic parsers in
+C.)
+@end deffn
+
+Conceptually, the LAC 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{Default Reductions}) affects how soon the parser
+detects a syntax error: immediately when it @emph{reaches} an erroneous
+token or when it eventually @emph{needs} that token as a lookahead to
+determine the next parser action. The latter behavior is probably more
+intuitive, so Bison currently provides no way to achieve the former behavior
+while default reductions are enabled in consistent states.
+
+Thus, when LAC is in use, for some fixed decision of whether to enable
+default reductions in consistent states, canonical LR and IELR behave almost
+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.
+
+There are a few caveats to consider when using LAC:
+
+@itemize
+@item Infinite parsing loops.
+
+IELR plus LAC does have one shortcoming relative to canonical LR. Some
+parsers generated by Bison can loop infinitely. LAC does not fix infinite
+parsing loops that occur between encountering a syntax error and detecting
+it, but enabling canonical LR or disabling default reductions sometimes
+does.
+
+@item Verbose error message limitations.
+
+Because of internationalization considerations, Bison-generated parsers
+limit the size of the expected token list they are willing to report in a
+verbose syntax error message. If the number of expected tokens exceeds that
+limit, the list is simply dropped from the message. Enabling LAC can
+increase the size of the list and thus cause the parser to drop it. Of
+course, dropping the list is better than reporting an incorrect list.
+
+@item Performance.
+
+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.
+@end itemize
+
+While the LAC algorithm shares techniques that have been recognized in the
+parser community for years, for the publication that introduces LAC,
+@pxref{Bibliography,,Denny 2010 May}.
+
+@node Unreachable States
+@subsection Unreachable States
+@findex %define lr.keep-unreachable-states
+@cindex unreachable states
+
+If there exists no sequence of transitions from the parser's start state to
+some state @var{s}, then Bison considers @var{s} to be an @dfn{unreachable
+state}. A state can become unreachable during conflict resolution if Bison
+disables a shift action leading to it from a predecessor state.
+
+By default, Bison removes unreachable states from the parser after conflict
+resolution because they are useless in the generated parser. However,
+keeping unreachable states is sometimes useful when trying to understand the
+relationship between the parser and the grammar.
+
+@deffn {Directive} {%define lr.keep-unreachable-states @var{VALUE}}
+Request that Bison allow unreachable states to remain in the parser tables.
+@var{VALUE} must be a Boolean. The default is @code{false}.
+@end deffn
+
+There are a few caveats to consider:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item Missing or extraneous warnings.
+
+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 Other useless states.
+
+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
@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
The same is true of languages that require more than one symbol of
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
+Finally, as previously mentioned (@pxref{Mysterious Conflicts}),
+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
-Scott, Adrian Johnstone and Shamsa Sadaf Hussain, Tomita-Style
-Generalised @acronym{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).
+For a more detailed exposition of GLR parsers, @pxref{Bibliography,,Scott
+2000}.
@node Memory Management
@section Memory Management, and How to Avoid Memory Exhaustion
@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.
For example:
@example
-stmnts: /* empty string */
- | stmnts '\n'
- | stmnts exp '\n'
- | stmnts error '\n'
+stmnts:
+ /* empty string */
+| stmnts '\n'
+| stmnts exp '\n'
+| stmnts error '\n'
@end example
The fourth rule in this example says that an error followed by a newline
spurious error message:
@example
-primary: '(' expr ')'
- | '(' error ')'
- @dots{}
- ;
+primary:
+ '(' expr ')'
+| '(' error ')'
+@dots{}
+;
@end example
Error recovery strategies are necessarily guesses. When they guess wrong,
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
@example
typedef int foo, bar;
int baz (void)
+@group
@{
static bar (bar); /* @r{redeclare @code{bar} as static variable} */
extern foo foo (foo); /* @r{redeclare @code{foo} as function} */
return foo (bar);
@}
+@end group
@end example
Unfortunately, the name being declared is separated from the declaration
duplication, with actions omitted for brevity:
@example
+@group
initdcl:
- declarator maybeasm '='
- init
- | declarator maybeasm
- ;
+ declarator maybeasm '=' init
+| declarator maybeasm
+;
+@end group
+@group
notype_initdcl:
- notype_declarator maybeasm '='
- init
- | notype_declarator maybeasm
- ;
+ notype_declarator maybeasm '=' init
+| notype_declarator maybeasm
+;
+@end group
@end example
@noindent
@dots{}
@end group
@group
-expr: IDENTIFIER
- | constant
- | HEX '('
- @{ hexflag = 1; @}
- expr ')'
- @{ hexflag = 0;
- $$ = $4; @}
- | expr '+' expr
- @{ $$ = make_sum ($1, $3); @}
- @dots{}
- ;
+expr:
+ IDENTIFIER
+| constant
+| HEX '(' @{ hexflag = 1; @}
+ expr ')' @{ hexflag = 0; $$ = $4; @}
+| expr '+' expr @{ $$ = make_sum ($1, $3); @}
+@dots{}
+;
@end group
@group
constant:
- INTEGER
- | STRING
- ;
+ INTEGER
+| STRING
+;
@end group
@end example
it is nonzero, all integers are parsed in hexadecimal, and tokens starting
with letters are parsed as integers if possible.
-The declaration of @code{hexflag} shown in the prologue of the parser file
-is needed to make it accessible to the actions (@pxref{Prologue, ,The Prologue}).
-You must also write the code in @code{yylex} to obey the flag.
+The declaration of @code{hexflag} shown in the prologue of the grammar
+file is needed to make it accessible to the actions (@pxref{Prologue,
+,The Prologue}). You must also write the code in @code{yylex} to obey
+the flag.
@node Tie-in Recovery
@section Lexical Tie-ins and Error Recovery
tokens until the next semicolon, and then start a new statement, like this:
@example
-stmt: expr ';'
- | IF '(' expr ')' stmt @{ @dots{} @}
- @dots{}
- error ';'
- @{ hexflag = 0; @}
- ;
+stmt:
+ expr ';'
+| IF '(' expr ')' stmt @{ @dots{} @}
+@dots{}
+| error ';' @{ hexflag = 0; @}
+;
@end example
If there is a syntax error in the middle of a @samp{hex (@var{expr})}
@example
@group
-expr: @dots{}
- | '(' expr ')'
- @{ $$ = $2; @}
- | '(' error ')'
- @dots{}
+expr:
+ @dots{}
+| '(' expr ')' @{ $$ = $2; @}
+| '(' error ')'
+@dots{}
@end group
@end example
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:
%left '+' '-'
%left '*'
%%
-exp: exp '+' exp
- | exp '-' exp
- | exp '*' exp
- | exp '/' exp
- | NUM
- ;
+exp:
+ exp '+' exp
+| exp '-' exp
+| exp '*' exp
+| exp '/' exp
+| NUM
+;
useless: STR;
%%
@end example
@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
and reports the uses of the symbols:
@example
+@group
Terminals, with rules where they appear
$end (0) 0
'/' (47) 4
error (256)
NUM (258) 5
+@end group
+@group
Nonterminals, with rules where they appear
$accept (8)
on left: 0
exp (9)
on left: 1 2 3 4 5, on right: 0 1 2 3 4
+@end group
@end example
@noindent
@cindex pointed rule
@cindex rule, pointed
Bison then proceeds onto the automaton itself, describing each state
-with it set of @dfn{items}, also known as @dfn{pointed rules}. Each
-item is a production rule together with a point (marked by @samp{.})
-that the input cursor.
+with its set of @dfn{items}, also known as @dfn{pointed rules}. Each
+item is a production rule together with a point (@samp{.}) marking
+the location of the input cursor.
@example
state 0
symbol (here, @code{exp}). When the parser returns to this state right
after having reduced a rule that produced an @code{exp}, the control
flow jumps to state 2. If there is no such transition on a nonterminal
-symbol, and the lookahead is a @code{NUM}, then this token is shifted on
+symbol, and the lookahead is a @code{NUM}, then this token is shifted onto
the parse stack, and the control flow jumps to state 1. Any other
lookahead triggers a syntax error.''
at the beginning of any rule deriving an @code{exp}. By default Bison
reports the so-called @dfn{core} or @dfn{kernel} of the item set, but if
you want to see more detail you can invoke @command{bison} with
-@option{--report=itemset} to list all the items, include those that can
-be derived:
+@option{--report=itemset} to list the derived items as well:
@example
state 0
@noindent
In state 2, the automaton can only shift a symbol. For instance,
-because of the item @samp{exp -> exp . '+' exp}, if the lookahead if
-@samp{+}, it will be shifted on the parse stack, and the automaton
-control will jump to state 4, corresponding to the item @samp{exp -> exp
-'+' . exp}. Since there is no default action, any other token than
-those listed above will trigger a syntax error.
+because of the item @samp{exp -> exp . '+' exp}, if the lookahead is
+@samp{+} it is shifted onto the parse stack, and the automaton
+jumps to state 4, corresponding to the item @samp{exp -> exp '+' . exp}.
+Since there is no default action, any lookahead not listed triggers 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)
The remaining states are similar:
@example
+@group
state 9
exp -> exp . '+' exp (rule 1)
'/' [reduce using rule 2 (exp)]
$default reduce using rule 2 (exp)
+@end group
+@group
state 10
exp -> exp . '+' exp (rule 1)
'/' [reduce using rule 3 (exp)]
$default reduce using rule 3 (exp)
+@end group
+@group
state 11
exp -> exp . '+' exp (rule 1)
'*' [reduce using rule 4 (exp)]
'/' [reduce using rule 4 (exp)]
$default reduce using rule 4 (exp)
+@end group
@end example
@noindent
@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
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
+@example
%@{
static void print_token_value (FILE *, int, YYSTYPE);
- #define YYPRINT(file, type, value) print_token_value (file, type, value)
+ #define YYPRINT(file, type, value) \
+ print_token_value (file, type, value)
%@}
@dots{} %% @dots{} %% @dots{}
else if (type == NUM)
fprintf (file, "%d", value.val);
@}
-@end smallexample
+@end example
@c ================================================= Invoking Bison
@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 conflicts-sr
+@itemx conflicts-rr
+S/R and R/R conflicts. These warnings are enabled by default. However, if
+the @code{%expect} or @code{%expect-rr} directive is specified, an
+unexpected number of conflicts is an error, and an expected number of
+conflicts is not reported, so @option{-W} and @option{--warning} then have
+no effect on the conflict report.
+
+@item other
+All warnings not categorized above. These warnings are enabled by default.
+
+This category is provided merely for the sake of completeness. Future
+releases of Bison may move warnings from this category to new, more specific
+categories.
+
+@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{%define Summary}) 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
@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{%define Summary,,namespace}. 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}).
@c - %define filename_type "const symbol::Symbol"
When the directive @code{%locations} is used, the C++ parser supports
-location tracking, see @ref{Locations, , Locations Overview}. Two
-auxiliary classes define a @code{position}, a single point in a file,
-and a @code{location}, a range composed of a pair of
-@code{position}s (possibly spanning several files).
+location tracking, see @ref{Tracking Locations}. Two auxiliary classes
+define a @code{position}, a single point in a file, and a @code{location}, a
+range composed of a pair of @code{position}s (possibly spanning several
+files).
@deftypemethod {position} {std::string*} file
The name of the file. It will always be handled as a pointer, the
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 @code{yytokentype} enumeration, which
+defines the tokens. To refer to the token @code{FOO},
+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 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
@noindent
-Use the two following directives to enable parser tracing and verbose
-error messages.
+Use the two following directives to enable parser tracing and verbose error
+messages. However, verbose error messages can contain incorrect information
+(@pxref{LAC}).
@comment file: calc++-parser.yy
@example
%start unit;
unit: assignments exp @{ driver.result = $2; @};
-assignments: assignments assignment @{@}
- | /* Nothing. */ @{@};
+assignments:
+ /* Nothing. */ @{@}
+| assignments assignment @{@};
assignment:
"identifier" ":=" exp
@comment file: calc++-scanner.ll
@example
-%@{ /* -*- C++ -*- */
+%@{ /* -*- C++ -*- */
# include <cstdlib>
-# include <errno.h>
-# include <limits.h>
+# include <cerrno>
+# include <climits>
# include <string>
# include "calc++-driver.hh"
# include "calc++-parser.hh"
@comment file: calc++-scanner.ll
@example
+@group
%@{
# define YY_USER_ACTION yylloc->columns (yyleng);
%@}
+@end group
%%
%@{
yylloc->step ();
@comment file: calc++-scanner.ll
@example
+@group
void
calcxx_driver::scan_begin ()
@{
yyin = stdin;
else if (!(yyin = fopen (file.c_str (), "r")))
@{
- error (std::string ("cannot open ") + file);
- exit (1);
+ error ("cannot open " + file + ": " + strerror(errno));
+ exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
@}
@}
+@end group
+@group
void
calcxx_driver::scan_end ()
@{
fclose (yyin);
@}
+@end group
@end example
@node Calc++ Top Level
#include <iostream>
#include "calc++-driver.hh"
+@group
int
main (int argc, char *argv[])
@{
else if (!driver.parse (*argv))
std::cout << driver.result << std::endl;
@}
+@end group
@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:: Java scanners, and pure parsers
-* Java Differences:: Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
+* 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"
-@c - initial action
-The Java parser skeletons are selected using a language directive,
-@samp{%language "Java"}, or the synonymous command-line option
-@option{--language=java}.
+(The current Java interface is experimental and may evolve.
+More user feedback will help to stabilize it.)
-When run, @command{bison} will create several entities whose name
-starts with @samp{YY}. Use the @samp{%name-prefix} directive to
-change the prefix, see @ref{Decl Summary}; classes can be placed
-in an arbitrary Java package using a @samp{%define package} section.
+The Java parser skeletons are selected using the @code{%language "Java"}
+directive or the @option{-L java}/@option{--language=java} option.
-The parser class defines an inner class, @code{Location}, that is used
-for location tracking. If the parser is pure, it also defines an
-inner interface, @code{Lexer}; see~@ref{Java Scanner Interface} for the
-meaning of pure parsers when the Java language is chosen. Other than
-these inner class/interface, and the members described in~@ref{Java
-Parser Interface}, all the other members and fields are preceded
-with a @code{yy} prefix to avoid clashes with user code.
-
-No header file can be generated for Java parsers; you must not pass
-@option{-d}/@option{--defines} to @command{bison}, nor use the
-@samp{%defines} directive.
+@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.
-By default, the @samp{YYParser} class has package visibility. A
-declaration @samp{%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.
+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.
-Similarly, a declaration @samp{%define "abstract"} will make your
-class abstract.
+Push parsers are currently unsupported in Java and @code{%define
+api.push-pull} have no effect.
-You can create documentation for generated parsers using Javadoc.
+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
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 @samp{%define} directive.
-For example, after the following declaration:
+superclass of all the semantic values using the @code{%define stype}
+directive. For example, after the following declaration:
@example
-%define "stype" "ASTNode"
+%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
@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, may also be renamed using @code{%define
-"location_type" "@var{class-name}}.
+When the directive @code{%locations} is used, the Java parser supports
+location tracking, see @ref{Tracking Locations}. 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}"}.
+with @code{%define position_type "@var{class-name}"}. This class must
+be supplied by the user.
-@deftypemethod {Location} {Position} begin
-@deftypemethodx {Location} {Position} end
+@deftypeivar {Location} {Position} begin
+@deftypeivarx {Location} {Position} end
The first, inclusive, position of the range, and the first beyond.
-@end deftypemethod
+@end deftypeivar
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {Location} {} Location (Position @var{loc})
+Create a @code{Location} denoting an empty range located at a given point.
+@end deftypeop
-@deftypemethod {Location} {void} toString ()
+@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.
@c debug_stream.
@c - Reporting errors
-The output file defines the parser class in the package optionally
-indicated in the @code{%define package} section. The class name defaults
-to @code{YYParser}. The @code{YY} prefix may be changed using
-@samp{%name-prefix}; alternatively, you can use @samp{%define
-"parser_class_name" "@var{name}"} to give a custom name to the class.
-The interface of this class is detailed below. It can be extended using
-the @code{%parse-param} directive; each occurrence of the directive will
-add a field to the parser class, and an argument to its constructor.
+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.
-@deftypemethod {YYParser} {} YYParser (@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.
-@end deftypemethod
+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,
@deftypemethod {YYParser} {boolean} recovering ()
During the syntactic analysis, return @code{true} if recovering
-from a syntax error. @xref{Error Recovery}.
+from a syntax error.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
@end deftypemethod
@deftypemethod {YYParser} {java.io.PrintStream} getDebugStream ()
or nonzero, full tracing.
@end deftypemethod
-@deftypemethod {YYParser} {void} error (Location @var{l}, String @var{m})
-The definition for this member function must be supplied by the user
-in the same way as the scanner interface (@pxref{Java Scanner
-Interface}); the parser uses it to report a parser error occurring at
-@var{l}, described by @var{m}.
-@end deftypemethod
-
@node Java Scanner Interface
@subsection Java Scanner Interface
@c - %lex-param
@c - Lexer interface
-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}
-directive does not do anything when used in Java.
-
-The scanner always resides in a separate class than the parser.
-Still, Java also two possible ways to interface a Bison-generated Java
-parser with a scanner, that is, the scanner may reside in a separate file
-than the Bison grammar, or in the same file. The interface
-to the scanner is similar in the two cases.
+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, where the scanner in the same file as the grammar, the
-scanner code has to be 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 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 interface @code{Lexer},
+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
In both cases, the scanner has to implement the following methods.
-@deftypemethod {Lexer} {void} yyerror (Location @var{l}, String @var{m})
-As explained in @pxref{Java Parser Interface}, 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
-@samp{%define "location_type" "@var{class-name}".}
+@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 (@var{type1} @var{arg1}, ...)
+@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 ther methods in the
-interface. Invocations of @samp{%lex-param @{@var{type1}
-@var{arg1}@}} yield additional arguments.
+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 ()
@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 @samp{%define "position_type"
+The return type can be changed using @code{%define position_type
"@var{class-name}".}
@end deftypemethod
@deftypemethod {Lexer} {Object} getLVal ()
-Return respectively the first position of the last token that yylex
-returned, and the first position beyond it.
+Return the semantic value of the last token that yylex returned.
-The return type can be changed using @samp{%define "stype"
+The return type can be changed using @code{%define stype
"@var{class-name}".}
@end deftypemethod
-If @code{%pure-parser} is not specified, the lexer interface
-resides in the same class (@code{YYParser}) as the Bison-generated
-parser. The fields and methods that are provided to
-this end are as follows.
-
-@deftypemethod {YYParser} {void} error (Location @var{l}, String @var{m})
-As explained in @pxref{Java Parser Interface}, this method is defined
-by the user to emit an error message. The first parameter is not used
-unless location tracking is active. Its type can be changed using
-@samp{%define "location_type" "@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
-@deftypemethod {YYParser} {int} yylex (@var{type1} @var{arg1}, ...)
-Return the next token. Its type is the return value, its semantic
-value and location are saved into @code{yylval}, @code{yystartpos},
-@code{yyendpos}. Invocations of @samp{%lex-param @{@var{type1}
-@var{arg1}@}} yield additional arguments.
-@end deftypemethod
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYACCEPT;}
+Return immediately from the parser, indicating success.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
-@deftypecv {Field} {YYParser} Position yystartpos
-@deftypecvx {Field} {YYParser} Position yyendpos
-Contain respectively the first position of the last token that yylex
-returned, and the first position beyond it. These methods are not
-needed unless location tracking is active.
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYERROR;}
+Start error recovery without printing an error message.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
-The field's type can be changed using @samp{%define "position_type"
-"@var{class-name}".}
-@end deftypecv
+@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
-@deftypecv {Field} {YYParser} Object yylval
-Return respectively the first position of the last token that yylex
-returned, and the first position beyond it.
+@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
-The field's type can be changed using @samp{%define "stype"
-"@var{class-name}".}
-@end deftypecv
@node Java Differences
@subsection Differences between C/C++ and Java Grammars
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}
corresponds to these C macros.}.
@item
-The prolog declarations have a different meaning than in C/C++ code.
+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
@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.
+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
@node Memory Exhausted
@section Memory Exhausted
-@display
+@quotation
My parser returns with error with a @samp{memory exhausted}
message. What can I do?
-@end display
+@end quotation
This question is already addressed elsewhere, @xref{Recursion,
,Recursive Rules}.
The following phenomenon has several symptoms, resulting in the
following typical questions:
-@display
+@quotation
I invoke @code{yyparse} several times, and on correct input it works
properly; but when a parse error is found, all the other calls fail
too. How can I reset the error flag of @code{yyparse}?
-@end display
+@end quotation
@noindent
or
-@display
+@quotation
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}.
-@end display
+although I did specify @samp{%define api.pure}.
+@end quotation
These problems typically come not from Bison itself, but from
Lex-generated scanners. Because these scanners use large buffers for
demonstration, consider the following source file,
@file{first-line.l}:
-@verbatim
-%{
+@example
+@group
+%@{
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
-%}
+%@}
+@end group
%%
.*\n ECHO; return 1;
%%
+@group
int
yyparse (char const *file)
-{
+@{
yyin = fopen (file, "r");
if (!yyin)
- exit (2);
+ @{
+ perror ("fopen");
+ exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
+ @}
+@end group
+@group
/* One token only. */
yylex ();
if (fclose (yyin) != 0)
- exit (3);
+ @{
+ perror ("fclose");
+ exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
+ @}
return 0;
-}
+@}
+@end group
+@group
int
main (void)
-{
+@{
yyparse ("input");
yyparse ("input");
return 0;
-}
-@end verbatim
+@}
+@end group
+@end example
@noindent
If the file @file{input} contains
-@verbatim
+@example
input:1: Hello,
input:2: World!
-@end verbatim
+@end example
@noindent
then instead of getting the first line twice, you get:
@node Strings are Destroyed
@section Strings are Destroyed
-@display
+@quotation
My parser seems to destroy old strings, or maybe it loses track of
them. Instead of reporting @samp{"foo", "bar"}, it reports
@samp{"bar", "bar"}, or even @samp{"foo\nbar", "bar"}.
-@end display
+@end quotation
This error is probably the single most frequent ``bug report'' sent to
Bison lists, but is only concerned with a misunderstanding of the role
of the scanner. Consider the following Lex code:
-@verbatim
-%{
+@example
+@group
+%@{
#include <stdio.h>
char *yylval = NULL;
-%}
+%@}
+@end group
+@group
%%
.* yylval = yytext; return 1;
\n /* IGNORE */
%%
+@end group
+@group
int
main ()
-{
+@{
/* Similar to using $1, $2 in a Bison action. */
char *fst = (yylex (), yylval);
char *snd = (yylex (), yylval);
printf ("\"%s\", \"%s\"\n", fst, snd);
return 0;
-}
-@end verbatim
+@}
+@end group
+@end example
If you compile and run this code, you get:
@node Implementing Gotos/Loops
@section Implementing Gotos/Loops
-@display
+@quotation
My simple calculator supports variables, assignments, and functions,
but how can I implement gotos, or loops?
-@end display
+@end quotation
Although very pedagogical, the examples included in the document blur
the distinction to make between the parser---whose job is to recover
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.
@node Multiple start-symbols
@section Multiple start-symbols
-@display
+@quotation
I have several closely related grammars, and I would like to share their
implementations. In fact, I could use a single grammar but with
multiple entry points.
-@end display
+@end quotation
Bison does not support multiple start-symbols, but there is a very
simple means to simulate them. If @code{foo} and @code{bar} are the two
@example
%token START_FOO START_BAR;
%start start;
-start: START_FOO foo
- | START_BAR bar;
+start:
+ START_FOO foo
+| START_BAR bar;
@end example
These tokens prevents the introduction of new conflicts. As far as the
@node Secure? Conform?
@section Secure? Conform?
-@display
+@quotation
Is Bison secure? Does it conform to POSIX?
-@end display
+@end quotation
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
@section I can't build Bison
-@display
+@quotation
I can't build Bison because @command{make} complains that
@code{msgfmt} is not found.
What should I do?
-@end display
+@end quotation
Like most GNU packages with internationalization support, that feature
is turned on by default. If you have problems building in the @file{po}
@node Where can I find help?
@section Where can I find help?
-@display
+@quotation
I'm having trouble using Bison. Where can I find help?
-@end display
+@end quotation
First, read this fine manual. Beyond that, you can send mail to
@email{help-bison@@gnu.org}. This mailing list is intended to be
@node Bug Reports
@section Bug Reports
-@display
+@quotation
I found a bug. What should I include in the bug report?
-@end display
+@end quotation
Before you send a bug report, make sure you are using the latest
version. Check @url{ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/bison/} or one of its
send additional files as well (such as `config.h' or `config.cache').
Patches are most welcome, but not required. That is, do not hesitate to
-send a bug report just because you can not provide a fix.
+send a bug report just because you cannot provide a fix.
Send bug reports to @email{bug-bison@@gnu.org}.
@node More Languages
@section More Languages
-@display
+@quotation
Will Bison ever have C++ and Java support? How about @var{insert your
favorite language here}?
-@end display
+@end quotation
C++ and Java support is there now, and is documented. We'd love to add other
languages; contributions are welcome.
@node Beta Testing
@section Beta Testing
-@display
+@quotation
What is involved in being a beta tester?
-@end display
+@end quotation
It's not terribly involved. Basically, you would download a test
release, compile it, and use it to build and run a parser or two. After
@node Mailing Lists
@section Mailing Lists
-@display
+@quotation
How do I join the help-bison and bug-bison mailing lists?
-@end display
+@end quotation
See @url{http://lists.gnu.org/}.
@deffn {Variable} @@$
In an action, the location of the left-hand side of the rule.
-@xref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
+@xref{Tracking Locations}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Variable} @@@var{n}
-In an action, the location of the @var{n}-th symbol of the right-hand
-side of the rule. @xref{Locations, , Locations Overview}.
+In an action, the location of the @var{n}-th symbol of the right-hand side
+of the rule. @xref{Tracking Locations}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} @@@var{name}
+In an action, the location of a symbol addressed by name. @xref{Tracking
+Locations}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} @@[@var{name}]
+In an action, the location of a symbol addressed by name. @xref{Tracking
+Locations}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Variable} $$
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}.
+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
@deffn {Directive} %debug
@end deffn
@end ifset
-@deffn {Directive} %define @var{define-variable}
-@deffnx {Directive} %define @var{define-variable} @var{value}
-Define a variable to adjust Bison's behavior.
-@xref{Decl Summary,,%define}.
+@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. @xref{%define Summary}.
@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
@deffn {Directive} %error-verbose
Bison declaration to request verbose, specific error message strings
-when @code{yyerror} is called.
+when @code{yyerror} is called. @xref{Error Reporting}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %file-prefix "@var{prefix}"
@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{%define
+Summary,,api.pure}), 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
to request verbose, specific error message strings
when @code{yyerror} is called. It doesn't matter what definition you
use for @code{YYERROR_VERBOSE}, just whether you define it. Using
-@code{%error-verbose} is preferred.
+@code{%error-verbose} is preferred. @xref{Error Reporting}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Macro} YYINITDEPTH
@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{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{Default
+Reductions}.
+
+@item Defaulted state
+A consistent state with a default reduction. @xref{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) (Inadequacy Elimination LR(1))
+A minimal LR(1) parser table construction 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 a
+grammar. @xref{LR Table Construction}.
+
@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{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{Mysterious 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.
A grammar symbol that has no rules in the grammar and therefore is
grammatically indivisible. The piece of text it represents is a token.
@xref{Language and Grammar, ,Languages and Context-Free Grammars}.
+
+@item Unreachable state
+A parser state to which there does not exist a sequence of transitions from
+the parser's start state. A state can become unreachable during conflict
+resolution. @xref{Unreachable States}.
@end table
@node Copying This Manual
@appendix Copying This Manual
+@include fdl.texi
-@menu
-* GNU Free Documentation License:: License for copying this manual.
-@end menu
+@node Bibliography
+@unnumbered Bibliography
-@include fdl.texi
+@table @asis
+@item [Denny 2008]
+Joel E. Denny and Brian A. Malloy, IELR(1): Practical LR(1) Parser Tables
+for Non-LR(1) Grammars with Conflict Resolution, in @cite{Proceedings of the
+2008 ACM Symposium on Applied Computing} (SAC'08), ACM, New York, NY, USA,
+pp.@: 240--245. @uref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/1363686.1363747}
+
+@item [Denny 2010 May]
+Joel E. Denny, PSLR(1): Pseudo-Scannerless Minimal LR(1) for the
+Deterministic Parsing of Composite Languages, Ph.D. Dissertation, Clemson
+University, Clemson, SC, USA (May 2010).
+@uref{http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=2041473591&Fmt=7&clientId=79356&RQT=309&VName=PQD}
+
+@item [Denny 2010 November]
+Joel E. Denny and Brian A. Malloy, The IELR(1) Algorithm for Generating
+Minimal LR(1) Parser Tables for Non-LR(1) Grammars with Conflict Resolution,
+in @cite{Science of Computer Programming}, Vol.@: 75, Issue 11 (November
+2010), pp.@: 943--979. @uref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scico.2009.08.001}
+
+@item [DeRemer 1982]
+Frank DeRemer and Thomas Pennello, Efficient Computation of LALR(1)
+Look-Ahead Sets, in @cite{ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and
+Systems}, Vol.@: 4, No.@: 4 (October 1982), pp.@:
+615--649. @uref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/69622.357187}
+
+@item [Knuth 1965]
+Donald E. Knuth, On the Translation of Languages from Left to Right, in
+@cite{Information and Control}, Vol.@: 8, Issue 6 (December 1965), pp.@:
+607--639. @uref{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0019-9958(65)90426-2}
+
+@item [Scott 2000]
+Elizabeth Scott, Adrian Johnstone, and Shamsa Sadaf Hussain,
+@cite{Tomita-Style Generalised LR Parsers}, Royal Holloway, University of
+London, Department of Computer Science, TR-00-12 (December 2000).
+@uref{http://www.cs.rhul.ac.uk/research/languages/publications/tomita_style_1.ps}
+@end table
@node Index
@unnumbered Index
@bye
-@c LocalWords: texinfo setfilename settitle setchapternewpage finalout
-@c LocalWords: ifinfo smallbook shorttitlepage titlepage GPL FIXME iftex
-@c LocalWords: akim fn cp syncodeindex vr tp synindex dircategory direntry
-@c LocalWords: ifset vskip pt filll insertcopying sp ISBN Etienne Suvasa
-@c LocalWords: ifnottex yyparse detailmenu GLR RPN Calc var Decls Rpcalc
-@c LocalWords: rpcalc Lexer Gen Comp Expr ltcalc mfcalc Decl Symtab yylex
-@c LocalWords: yyerror pxref LR yylval cindex dfn LALR samp gpl BNF xref
-@c LocalWords: const int paren ifnotinfo AC noindent emph expr stmt findex
-@c LocalWords: glr YYSTYPE TYPENAME prog dprec printf decl init stmtMerge
-@c LocalWords: pre STDC GNUC endif yy YY alloca lf stddef stdlib YYDEBUG
-@c LocalWords: NUM exp subsubsection kbd Ctrl ctype EOF getchar isdigit
-@c LocalWords: ungetc stdin scanf sc calc ulator ls lm cc NEG prec yyerrok
-@c LocalWords: longjmp fprintf stderr yylloc YYLTYPE cos ln
-@c LocalWords: smallexample symrec val tptr FNCT fnctptr func struct sym
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-@c LocalWords: strlen strcpy fctn strcmp isalpha symbuf realloc isalnum
-@c LocalWords: ptypes itype YYPRINT trigraphs yytname expseq vindex dtype
-@c LocalWords: Rhs YYRHSLOC LE nonassoc op deffn typeless yynerrs
-@c LocalWords: yychar yydebug msg YYNTOKENS YYNNTS YYNRULES YYNSTATES
-@c LocalWords: cparse clex deftypefun NE defmac YYACCEPT YYABORT param
-@c LocalWords: strncmp intval tindex lvalp locp llocp typealt YYBACKUP
-@c LocalWords: YYEMPTY YYEOF YYRECOVERING yyclearin GE def UMINUS maybeword
-@c LocalWords: Johnstone Shamsa Sadaf Hussain Tomita TR uref YYMAXDEPTH
-@c LocalWords: YYINITDEPTH stmnts ref stmnt initdcl maybeasm notype
-@c LocalWords: hexflag STR exdent itemset asis DYYDEBUG YYFPRINTF args
-@c LocalWords: infile ypp yxx outfile itemx tex leaderfill
-@c LocalWords: hbox hss hfill tt ly yyin fopen fclose ofirst gcc ll
-@c LocalWords: nbar yytext fst snd osplit ntwo strdup AST
-@c LocalWords: YYSTACK DVI fdl printindex
+@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
+@c LocalWords: ifset vskip pt filll insertcopying sp ISBN Etienne Suvasa Multi
+@c LocalWords: ifnottex yyparse detailmenu GLR RPN Calc var Decls Rpcalc multi
+@c LocalWords: rpcalc Lexer Expr ltcalc mfcalc yylex defaultprec Donnelly Gotos
+@c LocalWords: yyerror pxref LR yylval cindex dfn LALR samp gpl BNF xref yypush
+@c LocalWords: const int paren ifnotinfo AC noindent emph expr stmt findex lr
+@c LocalWords: glr YYSTYPE TYPENAME prog dprec printf decl init stmtMerge POSIX
+@c LocalWords: pre STDC GNUC endif yy YY alloca lf stddef stdlib YYDEBUG yypull
+@c LocalWords: NUM exp subsubsection kbd Ctrl ctype EOF getchar isdigit nonfree
+@c LocalWords: ungetc stdin scanf sc calc ulator ls lm cc NEG prec yyerrok rr
+@c LocalWords: longjmp fprintf stderr yylloc YYLTYPE cos ln Stallman Destructor
+@c LocalWords: symrec val tptr FNCT fnctptr func struct sym enum
+@c LocalWords: fnct putsym getsym fname arith fncts atan ptr malloc sizeof Lex
+@c LocalWords: strlen strcpy fctn strcmp isalpha symbuf realloc isalnum DOTDOT
+@c LocalWords: ptypes itype YYPRINT trigraphs yytname expseq vindex dtype Unary
+@c LocalWords: Rhs YYRHSLOC LE nonassoc op deffn typeless yynerrs nonterminal
+@c LocalWords: yychar yydebug msg YYNTOKENS YYNNTS YYNRULES YYNSTATES reentrant
+@c LocalWords: cparse clex deftypefun NE defmac YYACCEPT YYABORT param yypstate
+@c LocalWords: strncmp intval tindex lvalp locp llocp typealt YYBACKUP subrange
+@c LocalWords: YYEMPTY YYEOF YYRECOVERING yyclearin GE def UMINUS maybeword loc
+@c LocalWords: Johnstone Shamsa Sadaf Hussain Tomita TR uref YYMAXDEPTH inline
+@c LocalWords: YYINITDEPTH stmnts ref stmnt initdcl maybeasm notype Lookahead
+@c LocalWords: hexflag STR exdent itemset asis DYYDEBUG YYFPRINTF args Autoconf
+@c LocalWords: infile ypp yxx outfile itemx tex leaderfill Troubleshouting sqrt
+@c LocalWords: hbox hss hfill tt ly yyin fopen fclose ofirst gcc ll lookahead
+@c LocalWords: nbar yytext fst snd osplit ntwo strdup AST Troublereporting th
+@c LocalWords: YYSTACK DVI fdl printindex IELR nondeterministic nonterminals ps
+@c LocalWords: subexpressions declarator nondeferred config libintl postfix LAC
+@c LocalWords: preprocessor nonpositive unary nonnumeric typedef extern rhs
+@c LocalWords: yytokentype destructor multicharacter nonnull EBCDIC
+@c LocalWords: lvalue nonnegative XNUM CHR chr TAGLESS tagless stdout api TOK
+@c LocalWords: destructors Reentrancy nonreentrant subgrammar nonassociative
+@c LocalWords: deffnx namespace xml goto lalr ielr runtime lex yacc yyps env
+@c LocalWords: yystate variadic Unshift NLS gettext po UTF Automake LOCALEDIR
+@c LocalWords: YYENABLE bindtextdomain Makefile DEFS CPPFLAGS DBISON DeRemer
+@c LocalWords: autoreconf Pennello multisets nondeterminism Generalised baz
+@c LocalWords: redeclare automata Dparse localedir datadir XSLT midrule Wno
+@c LocalWords: Graphviz multitable headitem hh basename Doxygen fno
+@c LocalWords: doxygen ival sval deftypemethod deallocate pos deftypemethodx
+@c LocalWords: Ctor defcv defcvx arg accessors arithmetics CPP ifndef CALCXX
+@c LocalWords: lexer's calcxx bool LPAREN RPAREN deallocation cerrno climits
+@c LocalWords: cstdlib Debian undef yywrap unput noyywrap nounput zA yyleng
+@c LocalWords: errno strtol ERANGE str strerror iostream argc argv Javadoc
+@c LocalWords: bytecode initializers superclass stype ASTNode autoboxing nls
+@c LocalWords: toString deftypeivar deftypeivarx deftypeop YYParser strictfp
+@c LocalWords: superclasses boolean getErrorVerbose setErrorVerbose deftypecv
+@c LocalWords: getDebugStream setDebugStream getDebugLevel setDebugLevel url
+@c LocalWords: bisonVersion deftypecvx bisonSkeleton getStartPos getEndPos
+@c LocalWords: getLVal defvar deftypefn deftypefnx gotos msgfmt Corbett
+@c LocalWords: subdirectory Solaris nonassociativity
+
+@c Local Variables:
+@c ispell-dictionary: "american"
+@c fill-column: 76
+@c End:
projects / bison.git / blobdiff