A syntax directed text editor for a configuration control system

This thesis discusses a syntax-directed text editor which is a part of a configuration control system. This system maintains information on the hierarchical relationships between components (modules) of a software system. It generates appropriate messages whenever a module is modified. The editor provides screen editing facilities and can be "programmed" to perform syntax checks, enforce coding standards and syntactic correctness, do indentation, and provide information about other procedures and functions. The major difference between this editor and previous syntax-directed editors is that the user need not be aware of any language-dependent editor commands. Also, the text is stored as a text file rather than as a "tree" file, thus enhancing portability. In this thesis we focus on the language for describing the permissible inputs and the design and implementation of a parser for it.