README

Combinators in C
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This is a sketch of parser combinators in C (plus some hacks).

The idea is that we build up a function that parses a given grammar by putting "combinators" together.

We only define a few combinators here:

* And( comb1, comb2 ) : constructs the combinator which parses comb1 followed by comb2

* Or ( comb1, comb2 ) : constructs the combinators which parses comb1 or comb2

* Lloop ( comb1, comb2 ) : constructs the combinator which parses a list of comb1's separated by comb2's; this combinator is for use when comb2 parses a left associative operator (such as '+')

We also have some functions for parsing literals:

* Integer() : constructs a combinator which parses an integer

* Match( str ) : constructs the combinator which accepts the string str

* Expect( str, err ) : constructs the combinator which accepts the string, str,  if present, else it prints the given error mesage, err, and aborts

The combinators are themselves defined using closures, i.e. structs which contain a function to call, plus data which is to be passed to that function (in this case, other combinators).

Warning: there are many things missing in this code. For example there is no garbage collection, so the code leaks memory. Also combinators for options and lists are not present.

Calc
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The Calc program is a very simple example of how to use the combinators.

To build it, simply type make. To run it, type ./calc.

You can evaluate simple expressions involving:

* Integers (unsigned at present)

* +, -, *, /

* parentheses ()

CTRL-D to quit.

E.g.

> 1 + (2*3-4+5)*7;
50