The Definitive ANTLR Reference: Building Domain-Specific Languages (Pragmatic Programmers) 1st Edition

by Terence Parr (Author)

24 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0978739256

ISBN-10: 0978739256

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ANTLR v3 is the most powerful, easy-to-use parser generator built to date, and represents the culmination of more than 15 years of research by Terence Parr. This book is the essential reference guide to using this completely rebuilt version of ANTLR, with its amazing new LL() parsing technology, tree construction facilities, StringTemplate code generation template engine, and sophisticated ANTLRWorks GUI development environment. Learn to use ANTLR directly from the author!

ANTLR is a parser generator-a program that generates code to translate a specified input language into a nice, tidy data structure. You might think that parser generators are only used to build compilers. But in fact, programmers usually use parser generators to build translators and interpreters for domain-specific languages such as proprietary data formats, common network protocols, text processing languages, and domain-specific programming languages.

Domain-specific languages are important to software development because they represent a more natural, high fidelity, robust, and maintainable means of encoding a problem than simply writing software in a general-purpose language. For example, NASA uses domain-specific command languages for space missions to improve reliability, reduce risk, reduce cost, and increase the speed of development. Even the first Apollo guidance control computer from the 1960s used a domain-specific language that supported vector computations.

This book is the definitive guide to using the completely rebuilt ANTLR v3 and describes all features in detail, including the amazing new LL(

) parsing technology, tree construction facilities, StringTemplate code generation template engine, and sophisticated ANTLRWorks GUI development environment. You'll learn all about ANTLR grammar syntax, resolving grammar ambiguities, parser fault tolerance and error reporting, embedding actions to interpret or translate languages, building intermediate-form trees, extracting information from trees, generating source code, and how to use the ANTLR Java API.

The Definitive ANTLR Reference: Building Domain-Specific Languages (Pragmatic Programmers)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Terence Parr is a professor of computer science and graduate program director at the University of San Francisco, where he continues to work on his ANTLR parser generator. Terence has consulted for and held various technical positions at companies such as IBM, Lockheed Missiles and Space, NeXT, and Renault Automation. Terence holds a Ph.D. in computer engineering from Purdue University and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Army High-Performance Computing Research Center at the University of Minnesota, where he built parallelizing FORTRAN source-to-source translators.

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Product Details

Series: Pragmatic Programmers
Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; 1 edition (May 27, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978739256
ISBN-13: 978-0978739256
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,192,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #258 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Compilers
- #1349 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Java
- #3996 in Books > Textbooks > Computer Science > Programming Languages

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Top Customer Reviews

A Perfectly Pragmatic Guide!

ByJoshua Benuckon June 11, 2007

Format: Paperback

If you have any interest in compiler design, building translators, building intelligent editors, code generation, understanding what goes into building your own computer language, or just how to use ANTLR v3 then you may want to get a copy of this book.

This book is all about ANTLR. ANTLR is a tool you can use to build compilers and interpreters for computer languages, but don't let that scare you off. With the increasing interest in domain specific languages, bulding intelligent editors, code generation, and model driven development books like this are becoming ever more important. Terence Parr has made the topic far more approachable than any other book I have read (or attempted to read) on the topic.

In the first few chapters the author walks readers through the phases of parser construction using language that is approachable and easy to understand. He explains the needed principles and demonstrates their application with well chosen examples.

This is followed by a quick tour of how one might use ANTLR. I love the approach taken in this chapter as it takes a small example and shows two different ways to approach the problem using ANTLR. This is coupled with explanations describing when you want to use one approach over another.

The middle section of the book goes into depth on the various aspects of ANTLR. This is the reference section. Don't expect to be able to read these chapters one after another in quick succession. There's just too much to take in all at once!

The text is littered with references both forward and back to other sections and topics of interest. You can tell the author has spent a lot of time working with compiler construction by the breadth and depth of information presented. I really liked the motivating examples he gives for certain ANTLR features such as the need to emit imaginary tokens when lexing python (see page 94 in chapter 4).

The first chapter of part three of the book delves into the depths of the parsing algorithm used in ANTLR since you will need to understand it when you run into parsing errors and need to make sense of them.

The remaining chapters are devoted to ways to deal with the problems you may run into when trying to parse various language constructs.

This book has left a very lasting impression on me. I can visualize what goes into an editor like eclipse more fully. I no longer feel that the topic of abstract syntax trees is above my head and I feel I am better equipped to tackle the dragon book. I also understand why lisp programmers say that lisp has no syntax (take a look at the serialized form of the AST from chapter 3 on page 62, it looks like a bunch of s-expressions!).

One more note: ANTLR itself is a domain specific language (DSL) and serves as a prime example of how a DSL can greatly increase the clarity of the solution to a problem if the solution is described in terms native to the problem domain. (I think that's what the folks in the lisp camp have been saying for a long time.) ANTLR helps show the value of having DSLs and this book shows how easy it can be to write one!

0Comment 25 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Serious ANTLR users should have this

ByK. Ferrioon January 16, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Well, really, how many *casual* ANTLR users are there? The ANTLR community might be broadly divided into three groups: (1) Terence Parr, the self-described maniac behind ANTLR; (2) the demigods of ANTLR who are slightly more numerous than Terence and have already learned at the School of Really Hard Knocks; and (3) the rest of us, who want to become productive with ANTLR. It's that last group of us who can benefit from this text which softens some of the knocks. To be sure, this book is not a shortcut or substitute for getting your hands dirty and experiencing some frustration. Creating languages is not for slackers. No book can change that. The real value of this text is as an in-depth guide to the guts of ANTLR. It's a very "pragmatic" book and might have been called "The ANTLR Missing Manual" if another publisher had not already locked up that motif. Although the author tries to start from zero knowledge, I think you really need to have worked through at least the main examples at [...] first. Then, you'll be prepared to appreciate what this book has to offer. It's a great field manual for people in the thick of operating the tool.

The critiques (and criticisms) of the strong Java flavor of this book have some basis in fact. But this is, after all, a book about a programming tool written in Java. Professionals should be able to overcome this obstacle, and anyone who tries to find an equal to ANTLR without the Java baggage will quickly discover that learning enough Java to use ANTLR is a comparatively small price to pay.

Final words: Read the second book ("Language Implementation Patterns") first. Actually, read chapters 1, 2, 4, 9 and 10 of that book. Twice. That second book is hardly Java-centric at all and indeed only incidentally about ANTLR. Then get this first book ("The Definitive ANTLR Reference") and get to work. From there, you won't need any more advice from a book review.

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Excellent book!

ByRichard L. Burton IIIon June 5, 2007

Format: Paperback

Before leaving for a business trip to Florida, I decided to do some research on ANTLR for work. The book is very well written and brings you into the world of writing your own Lex without having any prior experience. It makes no assumptions about knowing Yacc, Javacc, or any of the other tools out there. I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of creating a DSL (Domain Specific Language), parser, or if you're even attempting to a program to migrate from one language to another.

Very well written, very organized and provides excellent insight into parsers.

Best Regards,

Richard L. Burton III

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Readable

ByAnders Karlssonon August 26, 2008

Format: Paperback

I have just finished reading the ANTLR ref book and I thought it was helpful, yes I also agree that it was a bit too much Java being more of a C++/C# person but I am not that picky. The one thing that I didn't like with the book was the structure. The four last chapters contain the actual theory, and one chapter in the middle was the reference. I didn't like this, it didn't feel natural. I would have liked to have the theory first and then gotten on with the details, building upon examples with increasing complexity (preferably not only in Java ;-). Also the index wasn't good, it should have been more detailed. e.g. where can I find what input.LT(1) means?

A good thing was there exists a mailing list and of course the website which helps to fill the holes that book unfortunately sometimes leaves.

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An All In One Reference Book for ANTLR

ByClifford Oravecon September 18, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

ANTLR is a fantastic framework for building out domain specific languages without having to write recursive descent parsers by hand. Historically, this skill set was relegated to becoming familiar with the Dragon Book, lex, yacc, bison, etc. ANTLR makes it easier to explore this territory and leverage currently popular languages such as Java and C# to build out your own language. This book goes beyond showing you how to use ANTLR - it also covers some basic groundwork with introducing you to the underlying concepts behind it. I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about these techniques or anyone who uses ANTRL regularly.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Four Stars

old book

Published 21 days ago by Alvin P. Schmitt

Five Stars

This is a great book and I got a great used books deal.

Published 23 days ago by Arvind

I wish there was another book on ANTLR

I think ANTLR is a great tool and the author did a great job in developing it.
Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the book.Read more

Published on October 2, 2011 by JoergP

Not a substitute for compiler theory but a great way to get productive in ANTLR fast

This USF CS professor has two main inventions to his credit, ANTLR and string template. This book gives Java developers almost everything you might need to learn how to use these...Read more

Published on November 20, 2010 by Glenn

Great Book

While the book nor th on-line documentation do not cover all of ANTLR, the book has a nice introduction and walk though of the basics.

Published on November 14, 2010 by OO Programmer

Barely adequate

For a "definitive work" on ANTLR, it really is thin, superficial, and plainly disappointing. For example, I wanted to know what the individual grammatical switches are, what they...Read more

Published on August 1, 2010 by Metal Gimp

Great Tool, Horrendous Book

You know when you need to review someone's documentation at work, and it's very clear that your coworker thought he did a great job but you discover to your horror that he mashed...Read more

Published on April 7, 2010 by James E. Mitchell

Starts from zero, takes you through to the end

If you know nothing about parsers, lexers, or DSLs in general, this book does a fantastic job getting you from nowhere to BOOM pretty quickly.Read more

Published on January 24, 2010 by Amazon Customer

Frustrated learner

If you are new to programming, forget it. This book assumes a certain advanced knowledge of programming. It has no chapter exercises to test your knowledge as you go along.Read more

Published on July 21, 2009 by Bryan Follins

An excellent book for developing language translators, especially for Java programmers

The book of Terence Parr describes his ANTLR LL top-down parser generator
very clearly and with outstanding academic style of presentation.Read more

Published on July 17, 2008 by A. Papadimitriou

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