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Static Semantics

• CFGs cannot describe all of the syntax of programming languages--context-specific parts are left out

• Static semantics refers to type checking and resolving declarations; has nothing to do with "meaning" in the sense of run-time behavior

• Often described using an attribute grammar (AG) (Knuth, 1968)

• Basic idea: add to CFG by carrying some semantic information along inside parse tree nodes

• Primary value of AGs:
  • Static semantics specification
  • Compiler design (static semantics checking)