pt_introduction - Introduction to Parser Tools

       This  document,  and  the package it describes, will undoubtedly contain bugs and other problems.  Please
       report such in the category pt of the  TcllibTrackers  [http://core.tcl.tk/tcllib/reportlist].   Please
       also report any ideas for enhancements you may have for either package and/or documentation.

       When proposing code changes, please provide unifieddiffs, i.e the output of diff-u.

       Note  further  that  attachments  are strongly preferred over inlined patches. Attachments can be made by
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       Parsing and Grammars

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

tcllib                                                 1.1                                 pt_introduction(3tcl)

       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 ParserToolsArchitecture, below

       [3]    Is your interest in the theoretical background upon which the packages and tools are build ?

              See the IntroductiontoParsingExpressionGrammars.

       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

       pt_introduction - Introduction to Parser Tools

       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 UserPackages

       [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 CorePackages

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

       Storage

              pt::peg::container

       Export

              pt::peg::exportpt::peg::export::containerpt::peg::export::jsonpt::peg::export::pegpt::peg::to::containerpt::peg::to::jsonpt::peg::to::pegpt::peg::to::parampt::peg::to::tclparampt::peg::to::cparam

       Import

              pt::peg::importpt::peg::import::containerpt::peg::import::jsonpt::peg::import::pegpt::peg::from::containerpt::peg::from::jsonpt::peg::from::peg

       Transformation

       Execution

              pt::peg::interppt::rde

       Support

              pt::tclparam::configuration::snitpt::tclparam::configuration::tcloopt::cparam::configuration::critclpt::astpt::pept::pegSUPPORTPACKAGESpt::peg::container::pegtext::writeconfigurationpathschar

       package require Tcl8.59

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