@value{UPDATED}), the @acronym{GNU} parser generator.
Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998,
-1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@quotation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
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
+* 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
+* Compiler Requirements:: @acronym{GLR} parsers require a modern C compiler
+
Examples
* RPN Calc:: Reverse polish notation calculator;
* 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 shift/reduce conflicts.
+* 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.
* How Can I Reset the Parser:: @code{yyparse} Keeps some State
* Strings are Destroyed:: @code{yylval} Loses Track of Strings
* C++ Parsers:: Compiling Parsers with C++ Compilers
-* Implementing Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
+* Implementing Gotos/Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
Copying This Manual
practical conditions for using Bison match the practical conditions for
using the other @acronym{GNU} tools.
-This exception applies only when Bison is generating C code for a
+This exception applies only when Bison is generating C code for an
@acronym{LALR}(1) parser; otherwise, the @acronym{GPL} terms operate
as usual. You can
tell whether the exception applies to your @samp{.c} output file by
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
+* 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?
@findex %glr-parser
@cindex conflicts
@cindex shift/reduce conflicts
+@cindex reduce/reduce conflicts
-In some grammars, there will be cases where Bison's standard
+In some grammars, Bison's standard
@acronym{LALR}(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
To use a grammar that is not easily modified to be @acronym{LALR}(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 will be a Generalized @acronym{LR}
+(@pxref{Grammar Outline}), the result is a Generalized @acronym{LR}
(@acronym{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
user-defined function on the resulting values to produce an arbitrary
merged result.
+@menu
+* Simple GLR Parsers:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers on unambiguous grammars
+* Merging GLR Parses:: Using @acronym{GLR} parsers to resolve ambiguities
+* Compiler Requirements:: @acronym{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
+@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 look-ahead,
+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}).
+
+Consider a problem that
+arises in the declaration of enumerated and subrange types in the
+programming language Pascal. Here are some examples:
+
+@example
+type subrange = lo .. hi;
+type enum = (a, b, c);
+@end example
+
+@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}
+10206) and many other
+Pascal implementations allow arbitrary expressions there. This gives
+rise to the following situation, containing a superfluous pair of
+parentheses:
+
+@example
+type subrange = (a) .. b;
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+Compare this to the following declaration of an enumerated
+type with only one value:
+
+@example
+type enum = (a);
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+(These declarations are contrived, but they are syntactically
+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 look-ahead 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
+@samp{a} must become a new identifier to represent the enumeration
+value, while in the former case @samp{a} must be evaluated with its
+current meaning, which may be a constant or even a function call.
+
+You could parse @samp{(a)} as an ``unspecified identifier in parentheses'',
+to be resolved later, but this typically requires substantial
+contortions in both semantic actions and large parts of the
+grammar, where the parentheses are nested in the recursive rules for
+expressions.
+
+You might think of using the lexer to distinguish between the two
+forms by returning different tokens for currently defined and
+undefined identifiers. But if these declarations occur in a local
+scope, and @samp{a} is defined in an outer scope, then both forms
+are possible---either locally redefining @samp{a}, or using the
+value of @samp{a} from the outer scope. So this approach cannot
+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
+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
+@samp{;}, the rule for enumerated types fails since it cannot
+accept @samp{..} anywhere; otherwise, the subrange type rule
+fails since it requires a @samp{..} token. So one of the branches
+fails silently, and the other one continues normally, performing
+all the intermediate actions that were postponed during the split.
+
+If the input is syntactically incorrect, both branches fail and the parser
+reports a syntax error as usual.
+
+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
+look-ahead 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.
+
+In general, a @acronym{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.
+The present example contains only one conflict between two
+rules, and the type-declaration context containing the conflict
+cannot be nested. So the number of
+branches that can exist at any time is limited by the constant 2,
+and the parsing time is still linear.
+
+Here is a Bison grammar corresponding to the example above. It
+parses a vastly simplified form of Pascal type declarations.
+
+@example
+%token TYPE DOTDOT ID
+
+@group
+%left '+' '-'
+%left '*' '/'
+@end group
+
+%%
+
+@group
+type_decl : TYPE ID '=' type ';'
+ ;
+@end group
+
+@group
+type : '(' id_list ')'
+ | expr DOTDOT expr
+ ;
+@end group
+
+@group
+id_list : ID
+ | id_list ',' ID
+ ;
+@end group
+
+@group
+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
+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
+recognized:
+
+@example
+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
+@samp{%%}):
+
+@example
+%glr-parser
+%expect-rr 1
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+No change in the grammar itself is required. Now the
+parser recognizes all valid declarations, according to the
+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}, 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 splitting inadvertently may cause
+problems less obvious than an @acronym{LALR} 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 lexer to the parser. You must check
+the remaining cases for correctness.
+
+In our example, it would be safe for the lexer to return tokens
+based on their current meanings in some symbol table, because no new
+symbols are defined in the middle of a type declaration. Though it
+is possible for a parser to define the enumeration
+constants as they are parsed, before the type declaration is
+completed, it actually makes no difference since 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
+@findex %dprec
+@findex %merge
+@cindex conflicts
+@cindex reduce/reduce conflicts
+
Let's consider an example, vastly simplified from a C++ grammar.
@example
@samp{x} as an @code{ID}).
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. The two @code{%dprec}
-declarations, however, give precedence to interpreting the example as a
+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
+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
+ambiguous. One of the parsers eventually reduces @code{stmt : expr ';'} and
+the other reduces @code{stmt : decl}, after which both parsers are in an
+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
+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
+to the parse that interprets the example as a
@code{decl}, which implies that @code{x} is a declarator.
The parser therefore prints
"x" y z + T <init-declare>
@end example
-Consider a different input string for this parser:
+The @code{%dprec} declarations only come into play when more than one
+parse survives. Consider a different input string for this parser:
@example
T (x) + y;
@end example
@noindent
+This is another example of using @acronym{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
have enough information to resolve the reduce/reduce conflict (again,
between @code{x} as an @code{expr} or a @code{declarator}). In this
-case, no precedence declaration is used. Instead, the parser splits
+case, no precedence declaration is used. Again, the parser splits
into two, one assuming that @code{x} is an @code{expr}, and the other
assuming @code{x} is a @code{declarator}. The second of these parsers
then vanishes when it sees @code{+}, and the parser prints
@end example
Suppose that instead of resolving the ambiguity, you wanted to see all
-the possibilities. For this purpose, we must @dfn{merge} the semantic
+the possibilities. For this purpose, you must merge the semantic
actions of the two possible parsers, rather than choosing one over the
other. To do so, you could change the declaration of @code{stmt} as
follows:
@end example
@noindent
-
and define the @code{stmtMerge} function as:
@example
@end example
@noindent
-With these declarations, the resulting parser will parse the first example
-as both an @code{expr} and a @code{decl}, and print
+With these declarations, the resulting parser parses the first example
+as both an @code{expr} and a @code{decl}, and prints
@example
"x" y z + T <init-declare> x T <cast> y z + = <OR>
@end example
-@sp 1
+Bison requires that all of the
+productions that participate in any particular merge have identical
+@samp{%merge} clauses. Otherwise, the ambiguity would be unresolvable,
+and the parser will report an error during any parse that results in
+the offending merge.
-@cindex @code{incline}
+@node Compiler Requirements
+@subsection Considerations when Compiling @acronym{GLR} Parsers
+@cindex @code{inline}
@cindex @acronym{GLR} parsers and @code{inline}
+
The @acronym{GLR} parsers require a compiler for @acronym{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
For example, this:
@example
-exp : NUM | exp exp '+' @{$$ = $1 + $2; @} | @dots{}
+exp : NUM | exp exp '+' @{$$ = $1 + $2; @} | @dots{} ;
@end example
@noindent
exp: NUM
| exp exp '+' @{ $$ = $1 + $2; @}
| @dots{}
+;
@end example
@noindent
%@}
%union @{
- long n;
+ long int n;
tree t; /* @r{@code{tree} is defined in @file{ptypes.h}.} */
@}
In most programs, you will need different data types for different kinds
of tokens and groupings. For example, a numeric constant may need type
-@code{int} or @code{long}, while a string constant needs type @code{char *},
+@code{int} or @code{long int}, while a string constant needs type @code{char *},
and an identifier might need a pointer to an entry in the symbol table.
To use more than one data type for semantic values in one parser, Bison
* 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 shift/reduce conflicts.
+* 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.
Precedence}.
You can explicitly specify the numeric code for a token type by appending
-an integer value in the field immediately following the token name:
+a decimal or hexadecimal integer value in the field immediately
+following the token name:
@example
%token NUM 300
+%token XNUM 0x12d // a GNU extension
@end example
@noindent
terminal symbol. All kinds of token declarations allow
@code{<@var{type}>}.
+@node Initial Action Decl
+@subsection Performing Actions before Parsing
+@findex %initial-action
+
+Sometimes your parser needs to perform some initializations before
+parsing. The @code{%initial-action} directive allows for such arbitrary
+code.
+
+@deffn {Directive} %initial-action @{ @var{code} @}
+@findex %initial-action
+Declare that the @var{code} must be invoked before parsing each time
+@code{yyparse} is called. The @var{code} may use @code{$$} and
+@code{@@$} --- initial value and location of the look-ahead --- and the
+@code{%parse-param}.
+@end deffn
+
+For instance, if your locations use a file name, you may use
+
+@example
+%parse-param @{ const char *filename @};
+%initial-action
+@{
+ @@$.begin.filename = @@$.end.filename = filename;
+@};
+@end example
+
+
@node Destructor Decl
@subsection Freeing Discarded Symbols
@cindex freeing discarded symbols
@findex %destructor
-Some symbols can be discarded by the parser, typically during error
-recovery (@pxref{Error Recovery}). Basically, during error recovery,
-embarrassing symbols already pushed on the stack, and embarrassing
-tokens coming from the rest of the file are thrown away until the parser
-falls on its feet. If these symbols convey heap based information, this
-memory is lost. While this behavior is tolerable for batch parsers,
-such as in compilers, it is unacceptable for parsers that can
-possibility ``never end'' such as shells, or implementations of
+Some symbols can be discarded by the parser. For instance, during error
+recovery (@pxref{Error Recovery}), embarrassing symbols already pushed
+on the stack, and embarrassing tokens coming from the rest of the file
+are thrown away until the parser falls on its feet. If these symbols
+convey heap based information, this memory is lost. While this behavior
+can be tolerable for batch parsers, such as in compilers, it is not for
+possibly ``never ending'' parsers such as shells, or implementations of
communication protocols.
The @code{%destructor} directive allows for the definition of code that
typefull: string; // $$ = $1 applies, $1 is not destroyed.
@end smallexample
+@sp 1
+
+@cindex discarded symbols
+@dfn{Discarded symbols} are the following:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+stacked symbols popped during the first phase of error recovery,
+@item
+incoming terminals during the second phase of error recovery,
+@item
+the current look-ahead when the parser aborts (either via an explicit
+call to @code{YYABORT}, or as a consequence of a failed error recovery).
+@end itemize
+
+
@node Expect Decl
@subsection Suppressing Conflict Warnings
@cindex suppressing conflict warnings
@cindex warnings, preventing
@cindex conflicts, suppressing warnings of
@findex %expect
+@findex %expect-rr
Bison normally warns if there are any conflicts in the grammar
(@pxref{Shift/Reduce, ,Shift/Reduce Conflicts}), but most real grammars
given if there are either more or fewer conflicts, or if there are any
reduce/reduce conflicts.
+For normal @acronym{LALR}(1) 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} parsers, however,
+both shift/reduce and reduce/reduce are routine (otherwise, there
+would be no need to use @acronym{GLR} parsing). Therefore, it is also possible
+to specify an expected number of reduce/reduce conflicts in @acronym{GLR}
+parsers, using the declaration:
+
+@example
+%expect-rr @var{n}
+@end example
+
In general, using @code{%expect} involves these steps:
@itemize @bullet
@xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
@deffn {Directive} %defines
-Write an extra output file containing macro definitions for the token
-type names defined in the grammar and the semantic value type
-@code{YYSTYPE}, as well as a few @code{extern} variable declarations.
-
+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}.
-This output file is essential if you wish to put the definition of
-@code{yylex} in a separate source file, because @code{yylex} needs to
-be able to refer to token type codes and the variable
-@code{yylval}. @xref{Token Values, ,Semantic Values of Tokens}.
+Unless @code{YYSTYPE} is already defined as a macro, the output header
+declares @code{YYSTYPE}. 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 (@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
+@code{YYSTYPE} 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}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %destructor
Specifying how the parser should reclaim the memory associated to
-discarded symbols. @xref{Destructor Decl, , Freeing Discarded Symbols}.
+discarded symbols. @xref{Destructor Decl, , Freeing Discarded Symbols}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %file-prefix="@var{prefix}"
immediately return 1.
Obviously, in location tracking pure parsers, @code{yyerror} should have
-an access to the current location. This is indeed the case for the GLR
+an access to the current location.
+This is indeed the case for the @acronym{GLR}
parsers, but not for the Yacc parser, for historical reasons. I.e., if
@samp{%locations %pure-parser} is passed then the prototypes for
@code{yyerror} are:
void yyerror (int *nastiness, char const *msg); /* GLR parsers. */
@end example
-Finally, GLR and Yacc parsers share the same @code{yyerror} calling
+Finally, @acronym{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.:
Bison produces @emph{deterministic} parsers that choose uniquely
when to reduce and which reduction to apply
-based on a summary of the preceding input and on one extra token of lookahead.
+based on a summary of the preceding input and on one extra token of look-ahead.
As a result, normal Bison handles a proper subset of the family of
context-free languages.
Ambiguous grammars, since they have strings with more than one possible
sequence of reductions cannot have deterministic parsers in this sense.
The same is true of languages that require more than one symbol of
-lookahead, since the parser lacks the information necessary to make a
+look-ahead, 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
grammar, in particular, it is only slightly slower than with the default
Bison parser.
-For a more detailed exposition of GLR parsers, please see: Elizabeth
+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,
@c FIXME: C++ output.
Because of semantical differences between C and C++, the
-@acronym{LALR}(1) parsers
-in C produced by Bison by compiled as C++ cannot grow. In this precise
-case (compiling a C parser as C++) you are suggested to grow
-@code{YYINITDEPTH}. In the near future, a C++ output output will be
-provided which addresses this issue.
+@acronym{LALR}(1) parsers in C produced by Bison by compiled as C++
+cannot grow. In this precise case (compiling a C parser as C++) you are
+suggested to grow @code{YYINITDEPTH}. In the near future, a C++ output
+output will be provided which addresses this issue.
@node Error Recovery
@chapter Error Recovery
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 look-ahead is a @code{NUM}, then this token is shifted on
the parse stack, and the control flow jumps to state 1. Any other
-lookahead triggers a syntax error.''
+look-ahead triggers a syntax error.''
@cindex core, item set
@cindex item set core
@cindex kernel, item set
@cindex item set core
Even though the only active rule in state 0 seems to be rule 0, the
-report lists @code{NUM} as a lookahead symbol because @code{NUM} can be
+report lists @code{NUM} as a look-ahead token because @code{NUM} can be
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
@end example
@noindent
-the rule 5, @samp{exp: NUM;}, is completed. Whatever the lookahead
+the rule 5, @samp{exp: NUM;}, is completed. Whatever the look-ahead token
(@samp{$default}), the parser will reduce it. If it was coming from
state 0, then, after this reduction it will return to state 0, and will
jump to state 2 (@samp{exp: go to state 2}).
@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
+because of the item @samp{exp -> exp . '+' exp}, if the look-ahead 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
$default reduce using rule 1 (exp)
@end example
-Indeed, there are two actions associated to the lookahead @samp{/}:
+Indeed, there are two actions associated to the look-ahead @samp{/}:
either shifting (and going to state 7), or reducing rule 1. The
conflict means that either the grammar is ambiguous, or the parser lacks
information to make the right decision. Indeed the grammar is
shifting the next token and going to the corresponding state, or
reducing a single rule. In the other cases, i.e., when shifting
@emph{and} reducing is possible or when @emph{several} reductions are
-possible, the lookahead is required to select the action. State 8 is
-one such state: if the lookahead is @samp{*} or @samp{/} then the action
+possible, the look-ahead is required to select the action. State 8 is
+one such state: if the look-ahead is @samp{*} or @samp{/} then the action
is shifting, otherwise the action is reducing rule 1. In other words,
the first two items, corresponding to rule 1, are not eligible when the
-lookahead is @samp{*}, since we specified that @samp{*} has higher
-precedence that @samp{+}. More generally, some items are eligible only
-with some set of possible lookaheads. When run with
-@option{--report=lookahead}, Bison specifies these lookaheads:
+look-ahead token is @samp{*}, since we specified that @samp{*} has higher
+precedence than @samp{+}. More generally, some items are eligible only
+with some set of possible look-ahead tokens. When run with
+@option{--report=look-ahead}, Bison specifies these look-ahead tokens:
@example
state 8
@end example
@noindent
-Observe that state 11 contains conflicts due to the lack of precedence
-of @samp{/} wrt @samp{+}, @samp{-}, and @samp{*}, but also because the
+Observe that state 11 contains conflicts not only due to the lack of
+precedence of @samp{/} with respect to @samp{+}, @samp{-}, and
+@samp{*}, but also because the
associativity of @samp{/} is not specified.
@example
#! /bin/sh
-bison -y "$@"
+bison -y "$@@"
@end example
@end table
@itemx --defines
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 and the semantic value type @code{YYSTYPE}, as well as a few
-@code{extern} variable declarations. @xref{Decl Summary}.
+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}.
Description of the grammar, conflicts (resolved and unresolved), and
@acronym{LALR} automaton.
-@item lookahead
+@item look-ahead
Implies @code{state} and augments the description of the automaton with
-each rule's lookahead set.
+each rule's look-ahead set.
@item itemset
Implies @code{state} and augments the description of the automaton with
* How Can I Reset the Parser:: @code{yyparse} Keeps some State
* Strings are Destroyed:: @code{yylval} Loses Track of Strings
* C++ Parsers:: Compiling Parsers with C++ Compilers
-* Implementing Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
+* Implementing Gotos/Loops:: Control Flow in the Calculator
@end menu
@node Parser Stack Overflow
yyin = fopen (file, "r");
if (!yyin)
exit (2);
- /* One token only. */
+ /* One token only. */
yylex ();
if (fclose (yyin) != 0)
exit (3);
functions like @samp{yy_switch_to_buffer} that manipulate multiple
input buffers.
+If your Flex-generated scanner uses start conditions (@pxref{Start
+conditions, , Start conditions, flex, The Flex Manual}), you might
+also want to reset the scanner's state, i.e., go back to the initial
+start condition, through a call to @samp{BEGIN (0)}.
+
@node Strings are Destroyed
@section Strings are Destroyed
int
main ()
{
- /* Similar to using $1, $2 in a Bison action. */
+ /* Similar to using $1, $2 in a Bison action. */
char *fst = (yylex (), yylval);
char *snd = (yylex (), yylval);
printf ("\"%s\", \"%s\"\n", fst, snd);
How can I generate parsers in C++?
@end display
-We are working on a C++ output for Bison, but unfortunately, for lack
-of time, the skeleton is not finished. It is functional, but in
-numerous respects, it will require additional work which @emph{might}
-break backward compatibility. Since the skeleton for C++ is not
-documented, we do not consider ourselves bound to this interface,
-nevertheless, as much as possible we will try to keep compatibility.
+We are working on a C++ output for Bison, but unfortunately, for lack of
+time, the skeleton is not finished. It is functional, but in numerous
+respects, it will require additional work which @emph{might} break
+backward compatibility. Since the skeleton for C++ is not documented,
+we do not consider ourselves bound to this interface, nevertheless, as
+much as possible we will try to keep compatibility.
-Another possibility is to use the regular C parsers, and to compile
-them with a C++ compiler. This works properly, provided that you bear
-some simple C++ rules in mind, such as not including ``real classes''
-(i.e., structure with constructors) in unions. Therefore, in the
-@code{%union}, use pointers to classes, or better yet, a single
-pointer type to the root of your lexical/syntactic hierarchy.
+Another possibility is to use the regular C parsers, and to compile them
+with a C++ compiler. This works properly, provided that you bear some
+simple C++ rules in mind, such as not including ``real classes'' (i.e.,
+structure with constructors) in unions. Therefore, in the
+@code{%union}, use pointers to classes.
-@node Implementing Loops
-@section Implementing Loops
+@node Implementing Gotos/Loops
+@section Implementing Gotos/Loops
@display
My simple calculator supports variables, assignments, and functions,
-but how can I implement loops?
+but how can I implement gotos, or loops?
@end display
Although very pedagogical, the examples included in the document blur
right-hand side of the rule. @xref{Actions}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Symbol} $accept
-The predefined nonterminal whose only rule is @samp{$accept: @var{start}
-$end}, where @var{start} is the start symbol. @xref{Start Decl, , The
-Start-Symbol}. It cannot be used in the grammar.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Symbol} $end
-The predefined token marking the end of the token stream. It cannot be
-used in the grammar.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Symbol} $undefined
-The predefined token onto which all undefined values returned by
-@code{yylex} are mapped. It cannot be used in the grammar, rather, use
-@code{error}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Symbol} error
-A token name reserved for error recovery. This token may be used in
-grammar rules so as to allow the Bison parser to recognize an error in
-the grammar without halting the process. In effect, a sentence
-containing an error may be recognized as valid. On a syntax error, the
-token @code{error} becomes the current look-ahead token. Actions
-corresponding to @code{error} are then executed, and the look-ahead
-token is reset to the token that originally caused the violation.
-@xref{Error Recovery}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYABORT
-Macro to pretend that an unrecoverable syntax error has occurred, by
-making @code{yyparse} return 1 immediately. The error reporting
-function @code{yyerror} is not called. @xref{Parser Function, ,The
-Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYACCEPT
-Macro to pretend that a complete utterance of the language has been
-read, by making @code{yyparse} return 0 immediately.
-@xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYBACKUP
-Macro to discard a value from the parser stack and fake a look-ahead
-token. @xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYDEBUG
-Macro to define to equip the parser with tracing code. @xref{Tracing,
-,Tracing Your Parser}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYERROR
-Macro to pretend that a syntax error has just been detected: call
-@code{yyerror} and then perform normal error recovery if possible
-(@pxref{Error Recovery}), or (if recovery is impossible) make
-@code{yyparse} return 1. @xref{Error Recovery}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYERROR_VERBOSE
-An obsolete macro that you define with @code{#define} in the prologue
-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.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYINITDEPTH
-Macro for specifying the initial size of the parser stack.
-@xref{Stack Overflow}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYLEX_PARAM
-An obsolete macro for specifying an extra argument (or list of extra
-arguments) for @code{yyparse} to pass to @code{yylex}. he use of this
-macro is deprecated, and is supported only for Yacc like parsers.
-@xref{Pure Calling,, Calling Conventions for Pure Parsers}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Type} YYLTYPE
-Data type of @code{yylloc}; by default, a structure with four
-members. @xref{Location Type, , Data Types of Locations}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYMAXDEPTH
-Macro for specifying the maximum size of the parser stack. @xref{Stack
-Overflow}.
-@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
-is supported only for Yacc like parsers. @xref{Pure Calling,, Calling
-Conventions for Pure Parsers}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYRECOVERING
-Macro whose value indicates whether the parser is recovering from a
-syntax error. @xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} YYSTACK_USE_ALLOCA
-Macro used to control the use of @code{alloca}. If defined to @samp{0},
-the parser will not use @code{alloca} but @code{malloc} when trying to
-grow its internal stacks. Do @emph{not} define @code{YYSTACK_USE_ALLOCA}
-to anything else.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Type} YYSTYPE
-Data type of semantic values; @code{int} by default.
-@xref{Value Type, ,Data Types of Semantic Values}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Variable} yychar
-External integer variable that contains the integer value of the current
-look-ahead token. (In a pure parser, it is a local variable within
-@code{yyparse}.) Error-recovery rule actions may examine this variable.
-@xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Variable} yyclearin
-Macro used in error-recovery rule actions. It clears the previous
-look-ahead token. @xref{Error Recovery}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Variable} yydebug
-External integer variable set to zero by default. If @code{yydebug}
-is given a nonzero value, the parser will output information on input
-symbols and parser action. @xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
-@end deffn
-
-@deffn {Macro} yyerrok
-Macro to cause parser to recover immediately to its normal mode
-after a syntax error. @xref{Error Recovery}.
+@deffn {Delimiter} %%
+Delimiter used to separate the grammar rule section from the
+Bison declarations section or the epilogue.
+@xref{Grammar Layout, ,The Overall Layout of a Bison Grammar}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Function} yyerror
-User-supplied function to be called by @code{yyparse} on error.
-@xref{Error Reporting, ,The Error
-Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}.
+@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
+Grammar}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Function} yylex
-User-supplied lexical analyzer function, called with no arguments to get
-the next token. @xref{Lexical, ,The Lexical Analyzer Function
-@code{yylex}}.
+@deffn {Construct} /*@dots{}*/
+Comment delimiters, as in C.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Variable} yylval
-External variable in which @code{yylex} should place the semantic
-value associated with a token. (In a pure parser, it is a local
-variable within @code{yyparse}, and its address is passed to
-@code{yylex}.) @xref{Token Values, ,Semantic Values of Tokens}.
+@deffn {Delimiter} :
+Separates a rule's result from its components. @xref{Rules, ,Syntax of
+Grammar Rules}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Variable} yylloc
-External variable in which @code{yylex} should place the line and column
-numbers associated with a token. (In a pure parser, it is a local
-variable within @code{yyparse}, and its address is passed to
-@code{yylex}.) You can ignore this variable if you don't use the
-@samp{@@} feature in the grammar actions. @xref{Token Locations,
-,Textual Locations of Tokens}.
+@deffn {Delimiter} ;
+Terminates a rule. @xref{Rules, ,Syntax of Grammar Rules}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Variable} yynerrs
-Global variable which Bison increments each time there is a syntax error.
-(In a pure parser, it is a local variable within @code{yyparse}.)
-@xref{Error Reporting, ,The Error Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}.
+@deffn {Delimiter} |
+Separates alternate rules for the same result nonterminal.
+@xref{Rules, ,Syntax of Grammar Rules}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Function} yyparse
-The parser function produced by Bison; call this function to start
-parsing. @xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+@deffn {Symbol} $accept
+The predefined nonterminal whose only rule is @samp{$accept: @var{start}
+$end}, where @var{start} is the start symbol. @xref{Start Decl, , The
+Start-Symbol}. It cannot be used in the grammar.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %debug
@deffn {Directive} %destructor
Specifying how the parser should reclaim the memory associated to
-discarded symbols. @xref{Destructor Decl, , Freeing Discarded Symbols}.
+discarded symbols. @xref{Destructor Decl, , Freeing Discarded Symbols}.
@end deffn
@deffn {Directive} %dprec
@acronym{GLR} Parsers}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Symbol} $end
+The predefined token marking the end of the token stream. It cannot be
+used in the grammar.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Symbol} error
+A token name reserved for error recovery. This token may be used in
+grammar rules so as to allow the Bison parser to recognize an error in
+the grammar without halting the process. In effect, a sentence
+containing an error may be recognized as valid. On a syntax error, the
+token @code{error} becomes the current look-ahead token. Actions
+corresponding to @code{error} are then executed, and the look-ahead
+token is reset to the token that originally caused the violation.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Directive} %error-verbose
Bison declaration to request verbose, specific error message strings
when @code{yyerror} is called.
Parsers, ,Writing @acronym{GLR} Parsers}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Directive} %initial-action
+Run user code before parsing. @xref{Initial Action Decl, , Performing Actions before Parsing}.
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Directive} %left
Bison declaration to assign left associativity to token(s).
@xref{Precedence Decl, ,Operator Precedence}.
,Nonterminal Symbols}.
@end deffn
+@deffn {Symbol} $undefined
+The predefined token onto which all undefined values returned by
+@code{yylex} are mapped. It cannot be used in the grammar, rather, use
+@code{error}.
+@end deffn
+
@deffn {Directive} %union
Bison declaration to specify several possible data types for semantic
values. @xref{Union Decl, ,The Collection of Value Types}.
@end deffn
-@sp 1
+@deffn {Macro} YYABORT
+Macro to pretend that an unrecoverable syntax error has occurred, by
+making @code{yyparse} return 1 immediately. The error reporting
+function @code{yyerror} is not called. @xref{Parser Function, ,The
+Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+@end deffn
-These are the punctuation and delimiters used in Bison input:
+@deffn {Macro} YYACCEPT
+Macro to pretend that a complete utterance of the language has been
+read, by making @code{yyparse} return 0 immediately.
+@xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+@end deffn
-@deffn {Delimiter} %%
-Delimiter used to separate the grammar rule section from the
-Bison declarations section or the epilogue.
-@xref{Grammar Layout, ,The Overall Layout of a Bison Grammar}.
+@deffn {Macro} YYBACKUP
+Macro to discard a value from the parser stack and fake a look-ahead
+token. @xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
@end deffn
-@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
-Grammar}.
+@deffn {Variable} yychar
+External integer variable that contains the integer value of the current
+look-ahead token. (In a pure parser, it is a local variable within
+@code{yyparse}.) Error-recovery rule actions may examine this variable.
+@xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Construct} /*@dots{}*/
-Comment delimiters, as in C.
+@deffn {Variable} yyclearin
+Macro used in error-recovery rule actions. It clears the previous
+look-ahead token. @xref{Error Recovery}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Delimiter} :
-Separates a rule's result from its components. @xref{Rules, ,Syntax of
-Grammar Rules}.
+@deffn {Macro} YYDEBUG
+Macro to define to equip the parser with tracing code. @xref{Tracing,
+,Tracing Your Parser}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Delimiter} ;
-Terminates a rule. @xref{Rules, ,Syntax of Grammar Rules}.
+@deffn {Variable} yydebug
+External integer variable set to zero by default. If @code{yydebug}
+is given a nonzero value, the parser will output information on input
+symbols and parser action. @xref{Tracing, ,Tracing Your Parser}.
@end deffn
-@deffn {Delimiter} |
-Separates alternate rules for the same result nonterminal.
-@xref{Rules, ,Syntax of Grammar Rules}.
+@deffn {Macro} yyerrok
+Macro to cause parser to recover immediately to its normal mode
+after a syntax error. @xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYERROR
+Macro to pretend that a syntax error has just been detected: call
+@code{yyerror} and then perform normal error recovery if possible
+(@pxref{Error Recovery}), or (if recovery is impossible) make
+@code{yyparse} return 1. @xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yyerror
+User-supplied function to be called by @code{yyparse} on error.
+@xref{Error Reporting, ,The Error
+Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYERROR_VERBOSE
+An obsolete macro that you define with @code{#define} in the prologue
+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.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYINITDEPTH
+Macro for specifying the initial size of the parser stack.
+@xref{Stack Overflow}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yylex
+User-supplied lexical analyzer function, called with no arguments to get
+the next token. @xref{Lexical, ,The Lexical Analyzer Function
+@code{yylex}}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYLEX_PARAM
+An obsolete macro for specifying an extra argument (or list of extra
+arguments) for @code{yyparse} to pass to @code{yylex}. he use of this
+macro is deprecated, and is supported only for Yacc like parsers.
+@xref{Pure Calling,, Calling Conventions for Pure Parsers}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} yylloc
+External variable in which @code{yylex} should place the line and column
+numbers associated with a token. (In a pure parser, it is a local
+variable within @code{yyparse}, and its address is passed to
+@code{yylex}.) You can ignore this variable if you don't use the
+@samp{@@} feature in the grammar actions. @xref{Token Locations,
+,Textual Locations of Tokens}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Type} YYLTYPE
+Data type of @code{yylloc}; by default, a structure with four
+members. @xref{Location Type, , Data Types of Locations}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} yylval
+External variable in which @code{yylex} should place the semantic
+value associated with a token. (In a pure parser, it is a local
+variable within @code{yyparse}, and its address is passed to
+@code{yylex}.) @xref{Token Values, ,Semantic Values of Tokens}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYMAXDEPTH
+Macro for specifying the maximum size of the parser stack. @xref{Stack
+Overflow}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Variable} yynerrs
+Global variable which Bison increments each time there is a syntax error.
+(In a pure parser, it is a local variable within @code{yyparse}.)
+@xref{Error Reporting, ,The Error Reporting Function @code{yyerror}}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Function} yyparse
+The parser function produced by Bison; call this function to start
+parsing. @xref{Parser Function, ,The Parser Function @code{yyparse}}.
+@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
+is supported only for Yacc like parsers. @xref{Pure Calling,, Calling
+Conventions for Pure Parsers}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYRECOVERING
+Macro whose value indicates whether the parser is recovering from a
+syntax error. @xref{Action Features, ,Special Features for Use in Actions}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Macro} YYSTACK_USE_ALLOCA
+Macro used to control the use of @code{alloca}. If defined to @samp{0},
+the parser will not use @code{alloca} but @code{malloc} when trying to
+grow its internal stacks. Do @emph{not} define @code{YYSTACK_USE_ALLOCA}
+to anything else.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Type} YYSTYPE
+Data type of semantic values; @code{int} by default.
+@xref{Value Type, ,Data Types of Semantic Values}.
@end deffn
@node Glossary
projects / bison.git / blobdiff