Extensible type checker for parser generation

TL;DR

This paper introduces an extensible static type checker integrated into a parser generator front-end, which verifies semantic actions for typing errors across multiple implementation languages, improving code reliability.

Contribution

It presents a novel, extensible type checking approach for semantic actions in parser generators, including specific extensions for Java and declarative type systems.

Findings

Reduces runtime errors caused by semantic action type mismatches

Supports multiple implementation languages through extensibility

Enhances parser generator reliability and correctness

Abstract

Parser generators generate translators from language specifications. In many cases, such specifications contain semantic actions written in the same language as the generated code. Since these actions are subject to little static checking, they are usually a source of errors which are discovered only when generated code is compiled. In this paper we propose a parser generator front-end which statically checks semantic actions for typing errors and prevents such errors from appearing in generated code. The type checking procedure is extensible to support many implementation languages. An extension for Java is presented along with an extension for declarative type system descriptions.