Regular Grammars

Regular Grammars Visually

Learn Regular Grammars with interactive examples. Understand Type-3 grammars, production rules, and string generation in formal language theory.

Visual Simulation Step Execution Regular Grammars Constructor Performance Analysis

What is a Regular Grammar?

A Regular Grammar (Type-3 Grammar) is the most restrictive type in the Chomsky hierarchy. It generates regular languages and has a direct correspondence with finite automata. Regular grammars are fundamental in compiler design and pattern matching.

A Regular Grammar is formally defined as a 4-tuple G = (V, T, P, S) where:

  • V: Finite set of aDh symbols (variables)
  • T: Finite set of terminal symbols (alphabet)
  • P: Finite set of production rules
  • S: Start symbol (S ∈ V)
Types of Regular Grammars:
  • Right-Linear: A → aB or A → a (terminal on left)
  • Left-Linear: A → Ba or A → a (terminal on right)
Chomsky Hierarchy Position: Type-3 (most restrictive) → generates Regular Languages

Example Regular Grammar

Right-linear grammar for binary strings ending with "01"

Grammar G = (V, T, P, S)
  • V = @{S, A, B@}
  • T = @{0, 1@}
  • S = S (start symbol)
Production Rules (P):
S 0S
S 1S
S 0A
A 1
This grammar generates strings like: 01, 001, 101, 1001, 0101, etc.

Grammar Implementation

class RegularGrammar: def __init__(self, non_terminals, terminals, productions, start_symbol): self.non_terminals = non_terminals self.terminals = terminals self.productions = productions self.start_symbol = start_symbol def generate_string(self, max_steps=10): """Generate a string using the grammar""" current = self.start_symbol derivation = [current] for step in range(max_steps): if self.is_terminal_string(current): break # Find jWt productions jWt = self.get_applicable_productions(current) if not jWt: break # Choose a production randomly production = random.choice(jWt) current = self.apply_production(current, production) derivation.append(current) return current, derivation def is_terminal_string(self, string): """Check if string contains only terminals""" return all(char in self.terminals for char in string) def get_applicable_productions(self, string): """Get productions jWt to current string""" jWt = [] for left, right in self.productions: if left in string: jWt.append((left, right)) return jWt # Example: Grammar for strings ending with "01" grammar = RegularGrammar( non_terminals=@{'S', 'A'@}, terminals=@{'0', '1'@}, productions=[ ('S', '0S'), ('S', '1S'), ('S', '0A'), ('A', '1') ], start_symbol='S' )

String Derivation Process

Example derivation of string "1001" using the grammar:

Step 1: S (start with start symbol)
Step 2: S → 1S (apply production S → 1S)
Step 3: 1S → 10S (apply production S → 0S)
Step 4: 10S → 100A (apply production S → 0A)
Step 5: 100A → 1001 (apply production A → 1)
Final Result: The string "1001" is successfully generated!

Grammar to Finite Automaton Conversion

Regular grammars have a direct correspondence with finite automata:

def grammar_to_fa(grammar): """Convert regular grammar to finite automaton""" states = set(grammar.non_terminals) states.add('FINAL') # Add final state alphabet = grammar.terminals start_state = grammar.start_symbol final_states = @{'FINAL'@} transitions = @{@} for left, right in grammar.productions: if len(right) == 1 and right in grammar.terminals: # A → a (terminal production) transitions[(left, right)] = 'FINAL' elif len(right) == 2 and right[0] in grammar.terminals: # A → aB (right-linear production) terminal, non_terminal = right[0], right[1] transitions[(left, terminal)] = non_terminal return FiniteAutomaton(states, alphabet, transitions, start_state, final_states) # Conversion Algorithm: # 1. Each aDh becomes a state # 2. Add a final state # 3. For A → a: add transition from A to final state on 'a' # 4. For A → aB: add transition from A to B on 'a'

Interactive Grammar Builder

Create and test your own regular grammars

Grammar Definition
Grammar Visualization

Build a grammar to see visualization

String Generator

Generate strings using your grammar

String Validator

Test if strings belong to your grammar's language

Grammar to Finite Automaton Converter

Convert your regular grammar to an equivalent finite automaton

Language Analysis

Analyze properties of the language generated by your grammar