|
Computer Programming Software Terms, Glossary and Dictionary
BNF: Backus–Naur Form
The Backus–Naur form (BNF), also known as the Backus–Naur formalism, Backus normal form, or Panini–Backus Form, is a metasyntax used to express context-free grammars: that is, a formal way to describe formal languages. BNF is widely used as a notation for the grammars of computer programming languages, command sets and communication protocols, as well as a notation for representing parts of natural language grammars. Most textbooks for programming language theory and/or semantics document the programming language in BNF. Some variants, such as augmented Backus-Naur form (ABNF), have their own documentation.
|
