A parser evaluates the syntax of a web script, transforming it into human-readable object code or displaying syntax errors. It can evaluate code without compiling it first and works sequentially. The parser helps in debugging and protecting intellectual property. It is like dissecting the properties of words in a sentence to understand their meaning.
A parser is software that evaluates the syntax of a script when it runs on a web server. For scripting languages used on the web, the parser works like a compiler might work in other types of application development environments.
In the same way that a compiler can create object code for use on a computer from source code, a parser can transform scripted code into human-readable object code or display syntax errors encountered when the code is run in a browser.
Parsers are commonly used in script development because they can evaluate code when the script is run and do not require the code to be compiled first. Compiling the source code and running it is done in one step as opposed to a C++ or other binary compiler where the source code is compiled into object code and then this code has to be installed or run separately.
The biggest difference between a parser and a compiler is the environment and language they deal with. For example, many scripts are parsed by the server and the application or operating system source code is compiled for installation. The two terms can be used interchangeably to represent the same business, and application code can be parsed into object code and web-compiled script code.
Many parsers work sequentially as they execute instructions sent from left to right and top to bottom. When an error is found, the parser will stop. If encoding for an error condition is present in the application, the actions related to that encoding are performed. If the parsed code is a script on the web, the error may appear in the browser window as the code runs. A parser cannot handle the code on line 12 if the code on line 11 or earlier is causing an error.
The parser evaluates the submitted syntax (or code) and determines the executable parts, displaying errors found as it goes. This helps in debugging the code and can help protect intellectual property which may be the source code of the project. An example of this process should not be thought of in terms of scripting or programming. Think of a sentence in the English language. The following sentence will do just fine:
The big brown bear runs fast.
Parsing this sentence would mean dissecting the properties of the words in the sentence so that the reader understands that bear is a noun, brown and big are adjectives describing bear, and that running is the verb or action that the bear performs. The fast adverb modifies the verb runs in the sentence.
This is a simple example of what a parser does. Evaluates supplied code for syntax and can create object code or usable output.
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