Codeco: A Grammar Notation for Controlled Natural Language in Predictive Editors

TL;DR

Codeco is a new grammar notation tailored for controlled natural languages and predictive editors, enabling practical, efficient parsing of languages like ACE.

Contribution

Introduces Codeco, a novel grammar notation specifically designed for CNLs and predictive editors, with implementations demonstrating its practicality and efficiency.

Findings

Successfully represented a large subset of ACE in Codeco

Codeco is practical and efficient for CNL parsing

Two parsers were implemented for Codeco

Abstract

Existing grammar frameworks do not work out particularly well for controlled natural languages (CNL), especially if they are to be used in predictive editors. I introduce in this paper a new grammar notation, called Codeco, which is designed specifically for CNLs and predictive editors. Two different parsers have been implemented and a large subset of Attempto Controlled English (ACE) has been represented in Codeco. The results show that Codeco is practical, adequate and efficient.