EBK CONCEPTS OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
EBK CONCEPTS OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780135102251
Author: Sebesta
Publisher: VST
Expert Solution & Answer
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ

Explanation of Solution

Syntax analyzers are based on grammars:

Syntax analyzer phase in compilation process is the step in which the “tokens” in the programs are identified and recognize whether they are specified in a valid way.

So, syntax analyzers are based on the syntax of the language. The syntax is often described formally by Context Free Grammars (CFG) or Backus-Naur Form (BNF).

Context Free Grammars (CFG):

There were four classes of grammars which describes the four classes of languages. Context Free Grammars was one of the four classes which described the syntax of whole programming languages with some minor exceptions.

Backus-Naur Form (BNF):

BNF is a natural notation for describing syntax described by John Backus and Peter Naur. It is very similar to Context Free Grammars.

Thus, syntax is based on BNF (or context free grammar from) due to three main reasons as described below:

  • Instead of using some informal notations, syntax description with context free grammars are precise and unambiguous. This is easy to understand for both human and software systems.
  • The formal description of the syntax, CFG or BNF both are used as the direct basis of syntax analyzer.
  • Context free grammars or BNF are easy to implement because of their modular nature. That is, they can be implemented in modules.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
I need help creating the network diagram and then revising it for the modified activity times.
Activity No. Activity Time (weeks) Immediate Predecessors 1 Requirements collection 3 2 Requirements structuring 4 1 3 Process analysis 3 2 4 Data analysis 3 2 5 Logical design 50 3,4 6 Physical design 5 5 7 Implementation 6 6 c. Using the information from part b, prepare a network diagram. Identify the critical path.
Given the following Extended-BNF grammar of the basic mathematical expressions:  Show the derivation steps for the expression: ( 2 + 3 ) * 6 – 20 / ( 3 + 1 ) Draw the parsing tree of this expression. SEE IMAGE
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Np Ms Office 365/Excel 2016 I Ntermed
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337508841
Author:Carey
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic 2017
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337102124
Author:Diane Zak
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
EBK JAVA PROGRAMMING
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337671385
Author:FARRELL
Publisher:CENGAGE LEARNING - CONSIGNMENT
Text book image
Microsoft Visual C#
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337102100
Author:Joyce, Farrell.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Text book image
CMPTR
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337681872
Author:PINARD
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Programming Logic & Design Comprehensive
Computer Science
ISBN:9781337669405
Author:FARRELL
Publisher:Cengage