Syntax Tree

The symbols (, ), ., 0, and 1 are so-called terminals. They appear nowhere on the left side of a production rule.

The symbols <list-of-numbers> and <number> are nonterminals as they are used in one of the left hand sides.

A syntax tree shows how a sequence of terminals (in this example: (0 . (1 . ()))) can be derived from our start symbol (in this example: <list-of-numbers>).

The grammar of most programming languages is defined in form of such production rules.

One of the first tasks of a compiler is to find a derivation for the program text which is a sequence of terminals.

If no such derivation can be found, a syntax error occurred.

	The symbols `(`, `)`, `.`, `0`, and `1` are so-called terminals. They appear nowhere on the left side of a production rule.
	The symbols <list-of-numbers> and <number> are nonterminals as they are used in one of the left hand sides.
	A syntax tree shows how a sequence of terminals (in this example: `(0 . (1 . ()))`) can be derived from our start symbol (in this example: <list-of-numbers>).
	The grammar of most programming languages is defined in form of such production rules.
	One of the first tasks of a compiler is to find a derivation for the program text which is a sequence of terminals.
	If no such derivation can be found, a syntax error occurred.