pt_introduction(n) Parser Tools pt_introduction(n) 







pt_introduction - Introduction to Parser Tools








package require Tcl 8.5












Welcome to the Parser Tools, a system for the creation and
    manipulation of parsers and the grammars driving them.


What are your goals which drove you here ?



  
[1]

  
Do you simply wish to create a parser for some language ?
    
In that case have a look at our parser generator application,
        pt, or, for a slightly deeper access, the package underneath it,
        pt::pgen.

  

  
[2]

  
Do you wish to know more about the architecture of the system ?
    
This is described in the section Parser Tools
        Architecture, below

  

  
[3]

  
Is your interest in the theoretical background upon which the packages and
      tools are build ?
    
See the Introduction to Parsing Expression
      Grammars.

  










The system can be split into roughly three layers, as seen in the
    figure below


IMAGE: architecture


These layers are, from high to low:



  
[1]

  
At the top we have the application and the packages using the packages of
      the layer below to implement common usecases. One example is the
      aforementioned pt::pgen which provides a parser generator.
    
The list of packages belonging to this layer can be found in
        section User Packages

  

  
[2]

  
In this layer we have the packages which provide the core of the
      functionality for the whole system. They are, in essence, a set of blocks
      which can be combined in myriad ways, like Lego (tm). The packages in the
      previous level are 'just' pre-fabricated combinations to cover the most
      important use cases.
    
The list of packages belonging to this layer can be found in
        section Core Packages

  

  
[3]

  
Last, but not least is the layer containing support packages providing
      generic functionality which not necessarily belong into the module.
    
The list of packages belonging to this layer can be found in
        section Support Packages

  









  

  










This layer is further split into six sections handling the
    storage, import, export, transformation, and execution of grammars, plus
    grammar specific support packages.



  

  







  

  







  

  







  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  







  

  







  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  







  

  

  

  







  

  

  

  







  

  







  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  













  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  












This document, and the package it describes, will undoubtedly
    contain bugs and other problems. Please report such in the category
    pt of the Tcllib SF Trackers
    [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=12883]. Please also report any
    ideas for enhancements you may have for either package and/or
  documentation.








EBNF, LL(k), PEG, TDPL, context-free languages, expression,
    grammar, matching, parser, parsing expression, parsing expression grammar,
    push down automaton, recursive descent, state, top-down parsing languages,
    transducer








Parsing and Grammars








Copyright (c) 2009 Andreas Kupries <andreas_kupries@users.sourceforge.net>








  

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    pt