BNF Notation: Understanding LHS, RHS, and Rules

What are the abstractions in a BNF description called?

Nonterminal symbols

In the context of formal syntax description, what does RHS stand for?

Right-hand side

What is recursion used for in the context of programming languages?

To describe list of syntactic elements

What is a rule considered if its LHS appears in its RHS?

Recursive rule Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence of rule applications called in the generation of sentences in a language?

Derivation Signup and view all the answers

What is each string in the derivation process called?

Sentential form Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a language recognizer?

Decide whether input strings belong to a language Signup and view all the answers

In the context provided, what are lexemes?

Numeric literals, operators, and special words Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a language generator?

Create sentences conforming to the language's syntax Signup and view all the answers

Which formal method is used to describe the syntax of programming languages?

Backus-Naur Form (BNF) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a metalanguage in the context of describing syntax?

Creating syntactic abstractions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of grammar class describes the forms of tokens in programming languages?

Regular grammars Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a parse tree in formal methods of describing syntax?

To represent leftmost and rightmost derivations of a grammar rule Signup and view all the answers

In the context of language recognition, what is the significance of left recursion in a grammar rule?

It signifies a left associative operation Signup and view all the answers

How does right recursion help in indicating right associativity in formal syntax description?

By placing the LHS at the right end of the RHS Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of Extended Backus-Naur Form (EBNF) over traditional BNF?

It increases the readability and writability of BNF Signup and view all the answers

Why is specifying associativity important in defining operator behaviors in formal methods of describing syntax?

To determine the order of operations in an expression Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an expression contains operators of equal precedence in formal syntax description?

A semantic rule determines operator precedence Signup and view all the answers