packcc ☆

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Description:
Parser generator for C

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Developer tools

Tags: parser-generator c development compiler lalr

Install: brew install packcc

About:
Packcc is a parser generator for C that converts a grammar file into a fast, deterministic LALR(1) parser. It produces a compact C source file that can be easily integrated into any C or C++ project. This tool streamlines the development of custom parsers for domain-specific languages or data formats.

Key Features:

Generates compact and efficient C code
Supports LALR(1) parser generation
Simple integration with C/C++ projects
Cross-platform compatibility

Use Cases:

Building interpreters or compilers for custom languages
Creating configuration or data file parsers
Developing domain-specific language (DSL) tools

Alternatives:

Bison – Bison is a more feature-rich GNU parser generator, often used with Flex, whereas Packcc is a standalone tool focused on simplicity and C code generation.
ANTLR – ANTLR is a powerful parser generator that supports multiple target languages (including C++), but it has a larger runtime dependency compared to the lightweight, C-native Packcc.

Version History

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