Context in Parsing: Techniques and Applications

Abstract

This paper discusses two approaches to parsing: Eelco Visser's scannerless generalized LR parsing and our context-aware scanning paired with deterministic LR parsing. We compare the underlying techniques, specifically how parser context is used to disambiguate lexical syntax, and their use in the context of language evolution and composition applications. We also reflect on the many discussions shared with Eelco on these topics, and on our shared realization that our different assumptions about the contexts in which our approaches were used drove and justified the technical decisions made in each.