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The Chomsky Hierarchy is a classification of formal languages in terms of their generative power, ranging from regular languages to recursively enumerable languages. It provides a framework to understand the computational complexity and capabilities of different types of grammars and automata in theoretical computer science and linguistics.
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Production rules are a fundamental component of rule-based systems, often used in artificial intelligence and computational logic, where they dictate the actions to be taken based on specific conditions. They serve as the 'if-then' statements that enable systems to make decisions and process information dynamically, facilitating automated reasoning and problem-solving.
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Parse trees are hierarchical tree structures that represent the syntactic structure of a string according to a formal grammar. They are essential in compilers and interpreters for understanding the syntax of programming languages and ensuring correct code execution.
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Derivations are logical sequences of steps used to prove statements or theorems, often starting from axioms or previously established results. They are fundamental in mathematics and logic, ensuring that conclusions are reached through valid reasoning and rigorous argumentation.
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Backus-Naur Form (BNF) is a formal notation used to describe the syntax of programming languages, providing a way to express context-free grammars. It serves as a foundational tool in computer science for designing and analyzing language syntax, enabling clear and precise specification of language rules.
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Pushdown Automata (PDA) are computational models that extend finite automata by including a stack, enabling them to recognize context-free languages. They are crucial for parsing nested structures, such as those found in programming languages and arithmetic expressions.
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Syntax analysis, also known as parsing, is the process of analyzing a sequence of tokens to determine its grammatical structure with respect to a given formal grammar. It is a crucial step in compiling, as it transforms the linear sequence of tokens into a hierarchical structure, often represented as a parse tree, which is easier for further processing such as semantic analysis and code generation.
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Ambiguity in grammars occurs when a string can be generated by a grammar in more than one way, leading to multiple parse trees or interpretations. This can complicate tasks such as parsing and compiling, necessitating disambiguation techniques to ensure consistency and correctness in language processing.
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Language recognition is the computational process of identifying the language in which a given text or speech is written or spoken. It is a crucial component in multilingual applications, enabling systems to process, translate, and respond in the correct language context.
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Incremental parsing is a technique in computational linguistics and computer science where input is processed piece-by-piece rather than all at once, allowing for more efficient analysis and real-time feedback. This approach is particularly useful in environments where input data is continuously flowing or subject to frequent updates, such as interactive programming environments or streaming data applications.
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Greibach Normal Form is a specific way of structuring context-free grammars where every production rule starts with a terminal symbol followed by any number of non-terminal symbols. This form is particularly useful for simplifying the parsing process of context-free languages, making it easier to analyze and understand their structure.
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Formal grammars are mathematical systems used to precisely define the syntax of languages, both natural and programming. They consist of a set of rules that describe how symbols in the language can be combined to form valid strings or sentences.
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Graph grammars are a formal method for specifying and generating graph structures through the application of specific rules, similar to how string grammars work for generating strings. They are powerful tools in computer science for modeling systems with intricate relationships and transformations, such as visual languages, pattern recognition, and software architecture design.
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