Syntax‐directed correction of syntax errors

Abstract

Abstract The systematic approach to compilation represented by syntax‐directed compilers makes possible a similarly systematic approach to the automatic correction of syntax errors. This paper describes the syntax‐directed syntax error correction system EXPL. Techniques for pinpointing the locations of syntax errors, generating sets of possible corrections and for choosing the best correction from such a set are presented. A particularly promising approach involves the use of semantic information to assist in the elimination of inappropriate syntactic corrections.