Re: generated code

"Paul Mann" <paul@parsetec.com>
15 Oct 2005 13:00:47 -0400

          From comp.compilers

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From: "Paul Mann" <paul@parsetec.com>
Newsgroups: comp.compilers
Date: 15 Oct 2005 13:00:47 -0400
Organization: Compilers Central
Keywords: design, practice
Posted-Date: 15 Oct 2005 13:00:47 EDT

"Chris F Clark" wrote ...


> I have nothing against recursive descent as an implementation
> technique as the output of a tool (other than it can lead to the
> acceptance of hand-written recursive descent compilers). Hoever, I
> think it is irresponsible to recommend hand-writing recursive
> descent parsers. It leads to shoddy programming.
>
> [If you hadn't said it, I would. Writing code to make it easy for
> people who don't understand it to make arbitrary changes does not
> strike me as a winning strategy. -John]


Thanks Chris and John !


I look forward to the day when we view recursive-descent hand-written
code as we view hand-written applications in assembly language.


Also, doing research with error recovery, partial parsing, and other
things is virtually impossible with hand-written recursive descent
parsers.


When I first discovered table-driven parsers I was relieved to know
that there was something I could depend on to be free of errors.
Finally, something in computer "science" that has a hint of
engineering associated with it.


Paul Mann
http://parsetec.com


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