Grammar Definition vs Parser Generators

Developers should learn grammar definition when working on compilers, interpreters, domain-specific languages (DSLs), or tools that process structured text (e meets developers should learn and use parser generators when building applications that require parsing structured text, such as programming language compilers, interpreters, domain-specific languages (dsls), configuration file readers, or data format validators (e. Here's our take.

Grammar Definition

Nice Pick

Developers should learn grammar definition when working on compilers, interpreters, domain-specific languages (DSLs), or tools that process structured text (e

Pros

• g
• Related to: parsing, compiler-design

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Parser Generators

Developers should learn and use parser generators when building applications that require parsing structured text, such as programming language compilers, interpreters, domain-specific languages (DSLs), configuration file readers, or data format validators (e

Pros

• g
• Related to: context-free-grammar, lexical-analysis

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Grammar Definition is a concept while Parser Generators is a tool. We picked Grammar Definition based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Grammar Definition wins

Based on overall popularity. Grammar Definition is more widely used, but Parser Generators excels in its own space.