Design of a Lexical Analyzer

In this article, we discuss the design of a lexical analyzer and its role in lexical analysis, the first phase in compiler design.

Table of contents:Definitions.Generating a lexical analyzer.Non-deterministic finite automata.Deterministic finite automata.Structure of the generated lexical analyzer.Pattern matching based on NFA.DFAs for lexical analyzer.From RE to NFA to DFA.Implementing the lookahead operator.Dead states in DFA.Roles of the lexical analyzer.References.Definitions....