NEW SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOL EXTENDS SYNTAX DIRECTED PARSING

Parsifal Software has released AnaGram(TM), an extended LALR-1 parser
generator. AnaGram produces C or C++ input processing modules from formal
descriptions of input syntax. It has been designed to make syntax directed
parsing a practical, usable tool for everyday software development.

Syntax directed parsing has long been recognized as the most powerful
technique available for handling program input. Until now, most tools
available to software developers to exploit this power have been primitive
and hard to use, so that, for most programmers, syntax directed parsing
has remained a textbook curiosity.

Although syntax directed parsing is most often used for developing script
languages, database query languages, "little" languages, translators,
compilers, macro languages, or other programs whose input data structure
is extraordinarily complex, AnaGram may also be applied profitably to more
mundane, everyday tasks such as parsing keyboard input, reading
configuration files, or any other task which requires deciphering an input
stream.

To use syntax directed parsing, software developers first write a high
level description of the structure of their input data. A parser
generator, using a standard algorithm, can then create an input module, or
parser, for their program from the description. Since the description, or
grammar, is non-procedural, it is generally easier to write and to modify
than the equivalent program code and much less likely to harbor bugs.

Some of the innovations provided by AnaGram:

 *  Lexical scanner not required: AnaGram's notation, with character
    sets, keywords and fine control over white space suppression,
    usually makes a separate lexical scanner unnecessary.

 *  Interactive working environment: Pop up a wide variety of windows
    and interactive tools to analyze and trace conflicts and
    other problems. Step through any sequence of inputs and
    watch your parser's response.

 *  File Trace: See precisely how a parser derived from your grammar
    will interpret a test file. Fast forward, parse character by
    character, back up, try again.

 *  Semantic control over parsing: Control parsing semantically as
    well as syntactically.

 *  Automatic setup of parser stack, with provision for arbitrary C
    or C++ data types, including template classes.

 *  Parser options include automatic error diagnostics and recovery,
    event driven parsers and coverage analysis.

 *  Notation provides simple, familiar representation of choices,
    options, and repetition as well as symbolic links between grammar
    rules and semantic actions.

AnaGram comes with extensive cross-referenced, context sensitive online
help, a comprehensive reference manual including an introduction to
parsing, and numerous documented examples.

AnaGram requires an IBM compatible AT, 386, or 486 computer with a minimum
of 400K of available memory, DOS 3.1 or higher, and approximately 1
megabyte of hard disk space. A C or C++ compiler is required to compile
the generated code.

AnaGram costs $495 and requires no royalties or runtime licenses. A free
trial copy is available.

    Parsifal Software
    P.O. Box 219, Wayland, MA 01778
    Phone: (800) 879-2577 or (508) 358-2564
    Internet: jholland@world.std.com
    CompuServe: 72603,1763

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