A parser is a program that enables the translation of source code, which is the original form of program instruction, into object code, or language that the computer is able to understand. As such, parsing is part of the compilation process. The mechanics of dividing the source code into it component parts and identifying those components, so that translation into object code can occur, constitutes parsing. Parsers are available for all standard programming languages, such as XML, Perl and Java.

The parse function has and input series to which specific rules of analysis are applied. The input series may be a group of characters (string) or numerical data (block). If it is a sting, it will be parsed by character. If it is a block, it will be parsed by value. The rules supply the parameters that determine how the information will be parsed...