Hi, I need to parse a subset of C (a header file), and generate some unit tests for the functions listed in it. I thus need to parse the code, then rewrite function calls with wrong parameters. What I call "shaking the broken tree" :) I chose to make my UT-generator in Python 2.4. However, I am now encountering problems in choosing the right parser for the job. I struggle in choosing between the inappropriate, the out-of-date, the alpha, or the too-big-for-the task...
So far I've indentified 9(!) potential candidates (Mostly taken from the http://www.python.org/moin/LanguageParsing page) : - Plex: Only a lexical analyser as far as I understand. Kinda RE++, no syntax processing - ply: Lex / Yacc for python! Tackle the Beast! Syntax processing looks complex.. - Pyggy: Lex / Yacc -styled too. More recent, but will a 0.4 version be good enough? - PyLR: fast parser with core functions in C... hasn't moved since '97 - Pyparsing: quick and easy parser... but I don't think it does more than lexical analysis - spark: Here's some wood. Now build your house. - yapps2 : yapps2+ (I hesitate to call it yapps3): chosen by http://www.python.org/sigs/parser-sig/towards-standard.html. Is the choice up-to-date? But will it do for parsing C? - TPG (Toy Parser Generator): looks cool - ANTLR (latest version from Jan 28 produces Python code) : Seems powerful and has a lot of support, but I don't want to have to use an exterior Java tool. Furthermore, does it let me control what happens at each stage easily, or does it just make me a compiler? I've omitted these: shlex, kwparsing (webpage?), PyBison, Trap (webpage?), DParser, and SimpleParse (I don't want the extra dependancy). I was hoping for a quick and easy choice, but got caught in the tar pit of Too Much Information. Parsing is a large and complex field. As an added handicap, I'm new to the dark minefield of parsers... I've had some experience with Lex/Yacc, and have some knowledge of parser theory, through a course on compilators. I am thus used to EBNF-style grammar. I was disappointed to see that Parser-SIG has died out. Would you have any ideas on which parser is best suited for the task? John -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
