JavaCC
JavaCC (Java Compiler Compiler) is an open-source parser generator and lexical analyzer generator written in the Java programming language.[2]
Developer(s) | Oracle |
---|---|
Stable release | 7.0.9
/ June 25, 2020[1] |
Repository | github |
Platform | Java Virtual Machine |
Type | parser/scanner generator |
License | BSD |
Website | javacc |
JavaCC is similar to yacc in that it generates a parser from a formal grammar written in EBNF notation. Unlike yacc, however, JavaCC generates top-down parsers. JavaCC can resolve choices based on the next k input tokens, and so can handle LL(k) grammars automatically; by use of "lookahead specifications", it can also resolve choices requiring unbounded look ahead. JavaCC also generates lexical analyzers in a fashion similar to lex. The tree builder that accompanies it, JJTree, constructs its trees from the bottom up.
JavaCC is licensed under a BSD license.
History
In 1996, Sun Microsystems released a parser generator called Jack. The developers responsible for Jack created their own company called Metamata and changed the Jack name to JavaCC. Metamata eventually became part of WebGain. After WebGain shut down its operations, JavaCC was moved to its current home.
Performance
In 2015, a benchmark shown JavaCC performance to be better by an order of magnitude compared to ANTLR, however the results are disputed.[3]
Uses
Software built using JavaCC includes:
- Apache Derby
- BeanShell
- FreeMarker
- PMD
- Vaadin
- Apache Lucene
- JavaParser
- Judoscript
References
- "MODIFICATIONS IN VERSION 7.0.9". Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- Enseling, Oliver (2000-12-29). "Build your own languages with JavaCC". JavaWorld. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- "Parser Generators: ANTLR vs JavaCC". dzone.com. 2015-12-29. Retrieved 2020-01-02.