Java: how to tell if a line in a text file was supposed to be blank?

Posted by defn on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by defn
Published on 2010-03-09T00:55:35Z Indexed on 2010/03/09 1:21 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 291

Filed under:

context-free-grammar

|

grammars

|

java

|

bufferedreader

I'm working on a project in which I have to read in a Grammar file (breaking it up into my data structure), with the goal of being able to generate a random "DearJohnLetter".

My problem is that when reading in the .txt file, I don't know how find out whether the file was supposed to be a completely blank line or not, which is detrimental to the program.

Here is an example of part of the file, How do i tell if the next line was supposed to be a blank line? (btw I'm just using a buffered reader) Thanks!

<start>
I have to break up with you because <reason> . But let's still <disclaimer> .

<reason>
<dubious-excuse>
<dubious-excuse> , and also because <reason>

<dubious-excuse>
my <person> doesn't like you
I'm in love with <another>
I haven't told you this before but <harsh>
I didn't have the heart to tell you this when we were going out, but <harsh>
you never <romantic-with-me> with me any more
you don't <romantic> any more
my <someone> said you were bad news

© Stack Overflow or respective owner

Related posts about context-free-grammar

Parsing a context-free grammar in Python

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
What tools are available in Python to assist in parsing a context-free grammar? Of course it is possible to roll my own, but I am looking for a generic tool that can generate a parser for a given CFG. >>> More
Convert The Context Free Grammar to LL1 Grammar

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
hi I want to write a program to gives grammar as input and change it to LL1. my problem is converting to LL1 I don't have any algorithm to convert. I earn grammar from some input text by a simple text analyzer but how I can change it to LL1 ? is there any algorithm that is clear to implement. >>> More
Efficient Context-Free Grammar parser, preferably Python-friendly

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am in need of parsing a small subset of English for one of my project, described as a context-free grammar with (1-level) feature structures (example) and I need to do it efficiently . Right now I'm using NLTK's parser which produces the right output but is very slow. For my grammar of ~450 fairly… >>> More
"Arbitrary" context free grammars?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Long time admirer first time inquirer :) I'm working on a program which derives a deterministic finite-state automata from a context-free grammar, and the paper I have been assigned which explains how to do this keeps referring to "arbitrary probabilistic context-free grammars" but never defines… >>> More
What does "context-free" mean in the term "context-free grammar"?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
Given the amount of material that tries to explain what a context-free grammar (CFG) is, I found it surprising that very few (in my sample, less than 1 in 20) give an explanation on why such grammars are called "context-free". And, to my mind, none succeeds in doing so. My question is, why are context-free… >>> More

Related posts about grammars

Digram Generation/Creation: Languages/Grammars

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Hey, does anyone know if there's any tools for generating nice uniform grammar representation diagrams like the ones on json.org? Or am i stuck with visio/photoshop doing them by hand? >>> More
Parse tree and grammars information

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Do anyone know where to find good online resources with examples how to make grammars and parsetrees? Preferebly introductary materials. Info that is n00b friendly, haven't found anything good with google myself. edit: I'm thinking about theory, not a specific parser software. >>> More
"Arbitrary" context free grammars?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Long time admirer first time inquirer :) I'm working on a program which derives a deterministic finite-state automata from a context-free grammar, and the paper I have been assigned which explains how to do this keeps referring to "arbitrary probabilistic context-free grammars" but never defines… >>> More
Generating n statements from context-free grammars

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hello, So not to reinvent the wheel, I would like to know what has already been done about generating random statements from a context-free language (like those produced by yacc, etc.). These grammars are primarily for parsing, but maybe someone has done some generation for testing the parsers? Thank… >>> More
Grammar editor utility for context-free grammars in Java

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Is there any Grammar editor utility for context-free grammars developed in Java? >>> More