A Statistical Analysis of Syntax Errors

A study of errors made by Pascal programmers is described. The results of this study are discussed in relation to compiler syntax error recovery procedures. It is found that syntax errors made in practice are quite simple and occur relatively infrequently (generally at most one per sentence of the language). Also a few types of errors account for most occurrences. These and other findings from the study are helpful in evaluating compiler error handling procedures. A discussion of the relation between these errors and language constructs is presented. Other uses of the information obtained from the study are briefly described.

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