Bison is a general-purpose YACC-compatible parser generator that converts a grammar description for an LALR(1) context-free grammar into a C program to parse that grammar. Once proficient, it can be used to develop a wide range of language parsers, from those used in simple desk calculators to complex programming languages.

This book teaches:
* Basic concepts of context-free grammars
* Basic concepts of semantic values and actions
* Bison grammar rules and syntax
* Stages in writing and running Bison grammars
* C-language interface to the parser function yyparse()
* How to use multiple parsers in the same program
* To detect when an operation for a new node type was not implemented
* To ensure that a new operation covers all existing node types adequately
* The Lexical Analyzer Function yylex() and parser C-language interface yyparse()
* Writing rules for error recovery
* And how to use Bison under DOS/Windows and VMS systems.

This book assumes the reader already knows the C Programming Language. The Bison manual provides a quick overview of the theory behind context-free grammars and semantic values. The introductory tutorial section explains the basic concepts of using Bison and shows three examples, each building on the last. If you don't know Bison or Yacc, start by reading these chapters. The following reference sections explain in greater detail and also cover other supporting programs such as yyparse(), yylex(), and yyerror(). A glossary and symbol table are also included.