RPG lexer using xText
This project aims to describe the RPG syntax gramma. To be more precise: After IBM introduced 100% free RPG it is now possible to use standard lexers like xText or event use tooling from the LEX/YACC/BISON universe to parse RPG and even generate code. So this project can be used as an academic project for better understanding of the RPG language but also for better tooling like plug in for 100% free-RPG editors running in i.e. Eclipse with code completion etc. Or even to build transpilers to create C, C# or JAVA code from RPG .... Just some thoughts
This implementation is using xText to describe the RPG language as a domain specific language in JAVA.
Since this is an Eclipse project using xText then the gramma is located in:
org.sitemule.rpglanguage.rpgle/src/org.sitemule.rpglanguage/Rpgle.xtext
When you open this file it is the LR-gramma for free RPG ( still lot of work to do - so feel free contribute and make pull requests;)
Now in Eclipse editor with the cursor in the gramma text then right-click and select "Run as". You will see a context menu where you can select "1 Generate Xtext artifacts"
When you run this – and your LR gramma is valid - it will create the code for an Eclipse plugin.
With the Eclipse plugin created you can right click in “Project explorer” on the folder org.sitemule.rpglanguage.rpgle . Now select “run as“ and then “1 Eclipse Application”
Now the fun begins: An new instance of Eclipse will spin up where you can try out the RPG syntax and it will give you:
- Syntax highlight
- Code completion
- Syntax checking
Open a new text file in that Eclipse instance and rename it to test.rpgle.
Since the file type is .rpgle the syntax checker kicks in. Try the code
completion: Press “Control” and “Space” and you will see a drop down
where you can start up you code: It will suggest “Ctrl-opt”, “Declare” and “code”.
So if you i.e. are using a “chain” op-code it will check that you have a Dcl-f with that file. If not insert a Dcl-f statement and with you file name and the syntax error disappears from the chain operation when the file is declared.
The same goes for Procedures and subroutines and variables – The syntax checker will look up the name of the procedure, subroutine or variable and it will make a syntax error if you are referring to a name not declared.
This is what you expect of modern editor
As is said – still lots of work to do. So please contribute to this project for better tooling arround the RPG language and better understanding the power of RPG free.
Read more about Eclipse xText here: