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jison

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library0.4.18jsnpmunverified

Jison is a JavaScript parser generator that creates bottom-up parsers from user-defined grammars. It supports grammars defined in either a JSON format or a Bison-style syntax, outputting a standalone JavaScript file capable of parsing the specified language. The API is intentionally designed to be similar to Bison's, making it approachable for developers familiar with traditional parser generators like Yacc or Bison. As of its latest release, 0.4.18, published in 2014, the project appears to be largely unmaintained. It generates parsers that can be used as command-line tools or programmatically within a CommonJS environment. Its primary differentiator is providing a Bison-like grammar definition and parser generation workflow targeting JavaScript.

web-frameworkserialization
npm install jison
github ↗package ↗homepage ↗
INSTALL
IMPORT
SIG · JISON
J
jison
web-frameworkjavascriptv0.4.18
Install
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Import
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Disk
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Pass rate
0/ 6
Env Coverage0 / 6
glibc
18–22
musl
18–22
Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v? · npm install
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
musl
node 18–226 runs
build_error
glibc
node 18–226 runs
build_error
Code
Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

Parser
✓ const Parser = require('jison').Parser;
✗ import { Parser } from 'jison';
Jison 0.4.18 is a CommonJS module and does not support ES module `import` syntax. Attempting to use `import` will result in a runtime error.
jison CLI
✓ jison mygrammar.jison
✗ node jison mygrammar.jison
The `jison` executable is typically installed globally via `npm install -g jison` and run directly from the command line. It's not intended to be executed directly with `node`.
Whole module
✓ const jison = require('jison');
✗ import jison from 'jison';
This imports the entire Jison module object, which contains the `Parser` class and other internal utilities. Primarily used for programmatic generation.

This quickstart demonstrates how to programmatically define a grammar, instantiate a Jison parser, and use it to parse an arithmetic expression, including error handling.

const Parser = require("jison").Parser; // A basic calculator grammar in JSON format const grammar = { "lex": { "rules": [ ["\s+", "/* skip whitespace */"], ["([0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)?)\b", "return 'NUMBER';"], ["\*", "return '*';"], ["/", "return '/';"], ["-", "return '-';"], ["\+", "return '+';"], ["\^", "return '^';"], ["\(", "return '(';"], ["\)", "return ')';"], ["$$", "return 'EOF';"] ] }, "bnf": { "expressions" :[ ["e EOF", "return $1;" ] ], "e" :[ ["e + e", "$$ = $1 + $3;"], ["e - e", "$$ = $1 - $3;"], ["e * e", "$$ = $1 * $3;"], ["e / e", "$$ = $1 / $3;"], ["e ^ e", "$$ = Math.pow($1, $3);"], ["- ", "$$ = -$2;"], ["( )", "$$ = $2;"], ["NUMBER", "$$ = Number($1);"] ] } }; const parser = new Parser(grammar); // Parse a simple arithmetic expression const result = parser.parse("2 + 3 * (4 - 1)"); console.log(`Parsed result: ${result}`); // Expected: 11 try { parser.parse("2 + 3 $ 5"); // Should throw a lexical error } catch (e) { console.error(`Error parsing invalid input: ${e.message}`); } // Demonstrate generation (optional, usually written to file) const parserSource = parser.generate(); // console.log(parserSource.substring(0, 200) + '...'); // Output first 200 chars of generated parser source
jison --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingJison version 0.4.18 was released in 2014 and is no longer actively maintained. It may have compatibility issues with modern Node.js versions, security vulnerabilities, or unaddressed bugs. Use with caution in new projects.
fix
Consider alternative, actively maintained parser generator libraries for JavaScript (e.g., Nearley, PEG.js) for new development. For existing projects, thoroughly test compatibility and consider vendoring a patched version.
affects: >=0.4.18
gotchaJison is a CommonJS-only package. It cannot be imported directly using ES module `import` syntax in modern JavaScript environments. Attempting to do so will result in `ReferenceError: require is not defined` or similar import errors.
fix
Always use `const Parser = require('jison').Parser;` syntax. If your project is pure ESM, you may need to use a wrapper or a dynamic `import()` call if `jison` is the only CJS dependency.
affects: >=0.4.0
gotchaThe documentation and examples primarily use Bison-style or JSON-encoded grammars. While powerful, understanding context-free grammars and LALR/SLR parsing algorithms is essential for effective use and debugging of Jison-generated parsers.
fix
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of parser generators and context-free grammars. Refer to the official Jison documentation or the Bison manual for fundamental understanding before writing complex grammars.
affects: >=0.4.0
Errors
Common errors & fixes
ReferenceError: require is not defined
Attempting to use `require()` in an ES Module context or using `import` for a CommonJS-only package.
fix
Ensure your file is treated as CommonJS (e.g., `.js` file without `"type": "module"` in `package.json`, or specifically use a CJS environment). If you must use Jison in an ESM context, consider a dynamic import: `const { Parser } = await import('jison');`.
jison: command not found
The `jison` command-line interface (CLI) is not installed globally or is not in your system's PATH.
fix
Install jison globally: `npm install -g jison`. If already installed, ensure your `PATH` environment variable includes the npm global bin directory.
Error: Parse error on line X: [...] Unexpected 'TOKEN'
The input string does not conform to the grammar defined for the parser, or there's an ambiguity/error in the grammar itself.
fix
Review your input string against the grammar rules. If the input is valid according to your intent, debug your grammar definition for ambiguities, missing rules, or incorrect token definitions. Use Jison's debug mode (`jison -t`) for more detailed parser output.
Upgrade
Version history
0.4.18latest on npm
Audit
Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity
6 hits · last 30 days
node
6
Resources
githubhttps://github.com/zaach/jison ↗
packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/jison ↗
homepagehttp://jison.org ↗