[ale] [OT] Writing a parser

[Pete Hardie]

Kevin Krumwiede wrote:
> I am working on a program to capture data from a MUD (actually, TW2002).
>  I've looked at the source for a couple parsers, including one made
> specifically for that game, but because they are generated code I'm
> having a lot of difficulty understanding how they work.  
> 
> The gist of what I do understand is this (and somebody please tell me if
> I'm wrong): parsers generally take a string of text and return a numeric
> code signifying what pattern (if any) the text matches.  A program can
> then use that code to decide how to process the text.  I assume that
> sophisticated parsers take into account the preceding context of the
> text when evaluating its pattern.
> 
> I am completely lost when it comes to the input languages of parser
> generators.  Anyone know of a good tutorial?

Not a tutorial, but the stands CompSci text book on compilers is good.  It's the 
"Dragon Book" by Aho, Ullman, and <mumble>, available at college bookstores, and 
probably online.

Also check out ANTLR, it is a parser builder, and has lots of examples.


-- 
Pete Hardie                   |   Goalie, DVSG Dart Team
     posting from, but not     |
     speaking for:             |
Scientific Atlanta, Digital Video Services Group



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