[cfe-dev] Clarification for term "AST"

[Markus Elfring]

> The problem as I see it is that building a "pure" AST of C++ (and C) is just impossible

I have got a different opinion. - Corresponding solutions will need more efforts
for further separation of concerns, won't they?


> because to know whether you have a variable declaration or a functional call
> you require basic semantic analysis already.

I guess that you refer to ambiguities in the programming language(s) like they
were also described by software researchers "Edward D. Willink" and "Adrian D.
Thurston".


> This is a defect of the specification of the grammar itself, and it will not be solved now
> (it would require completely reworking the grammar which is obviously impractical given
> the number of programs written).

I assume that there happened some discussions on this already.


> Therefore, you'll always have "kind-of" a semantic tree,

I would like to suggest a different approach.


> without a dedicated Abstract Syntax Tree level.

I guess that it is another software design challenge to ensure clear interfaces
between the involved abstraction levels.

Regards,
Markus