Re: Definition of Production

Al wrote:


> I'm looking for a clear definition of `production' in a (computer)
> grammatic/syntactic context. I've seen it used to mean anything from
> rule (in the xBNF sense) to input string, to mixtures of both
> (e.g. the segment of the input that matched a given rule).


Grammars can be seen in two ways, as prescriptions for:
- generation (production) of words of a language, or
- interpretation (validation, parsing) of words a language.


Where I'd prefer "sentences" for valid strings of a language (goal rule
of a grammar), and "words" for valid substrings (any rule).


Now input and output strings are somewhat interchangeable, either as
accepted by a parser, or as products/productions of some generator of a
language.




> [No terms in comp sci have precise definitions, but I've consistently
> seen production used in the sense of a grammar rule. -John]


ACK, a single term for closely related (inseparable?) items.


DoDi

Return to the comp.compilers page.
Search the comp.compilers archives again.