@copying
-This manual is for @acronym{GNU} Bison (version @value{VERSION},
-@value{UPDATED}), the @acronym{GNU} parser generator.
+This manual (@value{UPDATED}) is for @acronym{GNU} Bison (version
+@value{VERSION}), the @acronym{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.
+1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Free Software
+Foundation, Inc.
@quotation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
(a) below. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
``@acronym{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 @acronym{GNU} manual. Buying copies from the @acronym{FSF}
+supports it in developing @acronym{GNU} and promoting software
+freedom.''
@end quotation
@end copying
* 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 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
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
@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}
-becomes local in @code{yyparse} in pull mode but it becomes a member
+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.
@cindex push parser
@findex %define api.push_pull
-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
+(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
+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.
+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
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
+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:
%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
+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
+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
+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:
@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
+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
+changed to remove the token as a parameter. A nonreentrant push parser
example would thus look like this:
@example
yypstate_delete (ps);
@end example
-That's it. Notice the next token is put into the global variable @code{yychar}
+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
+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
+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
+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
+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
@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
+the generated parser with @code{%define api.push_pull "both"} as it did for
@code{%define api.push_pull "push"}.
@node Decl Summary
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}).
+Summary,,%language}, @pxref{Decl Summary,,%skeleton}).
Bison will warn if a @var{variable} is defined multiple times.
@item Purpose: Requests 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 Caveats:
@itemize @bullet
-@item Unreachable states may contain conflicts and may reduce rules not
-reduced in any other state.
+
+@item Unreachable states may contain conflicts and may use rules not used in
+any other state.
Thus, keeping unreachable states may induce warnings that are irrelevant to
your parser's behavior, and it may eliminate warnings that are relevant.
Of course, the change in warnings may actually be relevant to a parser table
@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}. 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
+(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.
@deffn {Directive} %skeleton "@var{file}"
Specify the skeleton to use.
-You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
-You should use @code{%language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
-different language, because it is clearer and because it will always choose the
-correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
+@c You probably don't need this option unless you are developing Bison.
+@c You should use @code{%language} if you want to specify the skeleton for a
+@c different language, because it is clearer and because it will always choose the
+@c correct skeleton for non-deterministic or push parsers.
If @var{file} does not contain a @code{/}, @var{file} is the name of a skeleton
file in the Bison installation directory.
The precise list of symbols renamed is @code{yyparse}, @code{yylex},
@code{yyerror}, @code{yynerrs}, @code{yylval}, @code{yylloc},
-@code{yychar} and @code{yydebug}. If you use a push parser,
-@code{yypush_parse}, @code{yypull_parse}, @code{yypstate},
+@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},
+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
* 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
+* 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
+* Parser Delete Function:: How to call @code{yypstate_delete} and what it
returns.
* Lexical:: You must supply a function @code{yylex}
which reads tokens.
@section The Push Parser Function @code{yypush_parse}
@findex yypush_parse
-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.
+(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
+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
@section The Pull Parser Function @code{yypull_parse}
@findex yypull_parse
-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.
+(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)
@section The Parser Create Function @code{yystate_new}
@findex yypstate_new
-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.
+(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 fuction will return a valid parser instance if there was memory available
-or NULL if no memory was 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.
+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)
@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 and 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
like @samp{%glr-parser}, Bison might not be Yacc-compatible even if
this option is specified.
+@item -W
+@itemx --warnings
+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 @acronym{POSIX} Yacc.
+
+@item all
+All the warnings.
+@item none
+Turn off all the warnings.
+@item error
+Treat warnings as errors.
+@end table
+
+A category can be turned off by prefixing its name with @samp{no-}. For
+instance, @option{-Wno-syntax} will hide the warnings about unused
+variables.
@end table
@noindent
@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}.
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}
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
The other output files' names are constructed from @var{file} as
described under the @samp{-v} and @samp{-d} options.
-@item -g
+@item -g[@var{file}]
+@itemx --graph[=@var{file}]
Output a graphical representation of the @acronym{LALR}(1) grammar
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.
+@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 @acronym{LALR}(1) 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
@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{--output=@var{outfile}} @tab @option{-o @var{outfile}}
-@item @option{--print-localedir} @tab
-@item @option{--print-datadir} @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}
+@include cross-options.texi
@end multitable
@node Yacc Library
@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++ @acronym{LALR}(1) parser is selected using the skeleton directive,
+@samp{%skeleton "lalr1.c"}, or the synonymous command-line option
+@option{--skeleton=lalr1.c}.
@xref{Decl Summary}.
When run, @command{bison} will create several entities in the @samp{yy}
@comment file: calc++-parser.yy
@example
-%language "C++" /* -*- C++ -*- */
+%skeleton "lalr1.cc" /* -*- C++ -*- */
%require "@value{VERSION}"
%defines
%define parser_class_name "calcxx_parser"
* 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 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}. Using an
+input file without a @file{.y} suffix is currently broken. The basename
+of the output file can be changed by the @code{%file-prefix} directive
+or the @option{-p}/@option{--name-prefix} option. The entire output file
+name can be changed by the @code{%output} directive or the
+@option{-o}/@option{--output} option. The output 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.
+@acronym{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
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}}.
+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
-@deftypemethod {Location} {void} toString ()
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {Location} {} Location (Position @var{loc})
+Create a @code{Location} denoting an empty range located at a given point.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypeop {Constructor} {Location} {} Location (Position @var{begin}, Position @var{end})
+Create a @code{Location} from the endpoints of the range.
+@end deftypeop
+
+@deftypemethod {Location} {String} toString ()
Prints the range represented by the location. For this to work
properly, the position class should override the @code{equals} and
@code{toString} methods appropriately.
@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.
+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 semantical 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
-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.
+@node Java Action Features
+@subsection Special Features for Use in Java Actions
-@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
+The following special constructs can be uses in Java actions.
+Other analogous C action features are currently unavailable for Java.
-@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
+Use @code{%define throws} to specify any uncaught exceptions from parser
+actions, and initial actions specified by @code{%initial-action}.
-@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.
+@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
-The field's type can be changed using @samp{%define "position_type"
-"@var{class-name}".}
-@end deftypecv
+@defvar $<@var{typealt}>@var{n}
+Like @code{$@var{n}} but specifies a alternative type @var{typealt}.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
-@deftypecv {Field} {YYParser} Object yylval
-Return respectively the first position of the last token that yylex
-returned, and the first position beyond it.
+@defvar $$
+The semantic value for the grouping made by the current rule. As a
+value, this is in the base type (@code{Object} or as specified by
+@code{%define stype}) as in not cast to the declared subtype because
+casts are not allowed on the left-hand side of Java assignments.
+Use an explicit Java cast if the correct subtype is needed.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar $<@var{typealt}>$
+Same as @code{$$} since Java always allow assigning to the base type.
+Perhaps we should use this and @code{$<>$} for the value and @code{$$}
+for setting the value but there is currently no easy way to distinguish
+these constructs.
+@xref{Java Semantic Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar @@@var{n}
+The location information of the @var{n}th component of the current rule.
+This may not be assigned to.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@defvar @@$
+The location information of the grouping made by the current rule.
+@xref{Java Location Values}.
+@end defvar
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYABORT;}
+Return immediately from the parser, indicating failure.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYACCEPT;}
+Return immediately from the parser, indicating success.
+@xref{Java Parser Interface}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYERROR;}
+Start error recovery without printing an error message.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deffn {Statement} {return YYFAIL;}
+Print an error message and start error recovery.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deffn
+
+@deftypefn {Function} {boolean} recovering ()
+Return whether error recovery is being done. In this state, the parser
+reads token until it reaches a known state, and then restarts normal
+operation.
+@xref{Error Recovery}.
+@end deftypefn
+
+@deftypefn {Function} {protected void} yyerror (String msg)
+@deftypefnx {Function} {protected void} yyerror (Position pos, String msg)
+@deftypefnx {Function} {protected void} yyerror (Location loc, String msg)
+Print an error message using the @code{yyerror} method of the scanner
+instance in use.
+@end deftypefn
-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}
method than @code{yyparse} in order to have an intuitive syntax that
corresponds to these C macros.}.
+@item
+Java lacks unions, so @code{%union} has no effect. Instead, semantic
+values have a common base type: @code{Object} or as specified by
+@code{%define stype}. Angle backets 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 prolog declarations have a different meaning than in C/C++ code.
@table @asis
@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
@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
+(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
@end deffn
@deffn {Function} yypstate_delete
-The function to delete a parser instance, produced by Bison in push mode;
+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
+@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;
+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
+@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
+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
+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
projects / bison.git / blobdiff