# man > BISON(1) > **TLDR:** GNU parser generator. > - Compile a bison definition file: `bison {{path/to/file.y}}` - Compile in debug mode, which causes the resulting parser to write additional information to `stdout`: `bison {{-t|--debug}} {{path/to/file.y}}` - Specify the output filename: `bison {{-o|--output}} {{path/to/output.c}} {{path/to/file.y}}` - Be verbose when compiling: `bison {{-v|--verbose}}` *Source: tldr-pages* --- [BISON(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/BISON/1/markdown) User Commands [BISON(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/BISON/1/markdown) ## NAME bison - GNU Project parser generator (yacc replacement) ## SYNOPSIS **bison** [_OPTION_]... _FILE_ ## DESCRIPTION _Bison_ is a parser generator in the style of [_yacc_(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/yacc/1/markdown). It should be upwardly compatible with input files designed for _yacc_. Input files should follow the _yacc_ convention of ending in **.y**. Unlike _yacc_, the generated files do not have fixed names, but instead use the prefix of the input file. Moreover, if you need to put _C++_ code in the input file, you can end his name by a C++-like extension (.ypp or .y++), then bison will follow your extension to name the output file (.cpp or .c++). For instance, a grammar description file named **parse.yxx** would produce the generated parser in a file named **parse.tab.cxx**, instead of _yacc_'s **y.tab.c** or old _Bison_ version's **parse.tab.c**. This description of the options that can be given to _bison_ is adapted from the node **Invoca**‐‐ **tion** in the **bison.texi** manual, which should be taken as authoritative. _Bison_ supports both traditional single-letter options and mnemonic long option names. Long option names are indicated with **--** instead of **-**. Abbreviations for option names are allowed as long as they are unique. When a long option takes an argument, like **--file-prefix**, con‐ nect the option name and the argument with **=**. Generate a deterministic LR or generalized LR (GLR) parser employing [LALR(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/LALR/1/markdown), [IELR(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/IELR/1/markdown), or canonical [LR(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/LR/1/markdown) parser tables. Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too. The same is true for optional arguments. ### Operation Modes: ### -h --help display this help and exit ### -V --version output version information and exit ### --print-localedir output directory containing locale-dependent data and exit ### --print-datadir output directory containing skeletons and XSLT and exit ### -u --update apply fixes to the source grammar file and exit ### -f --feature activate miscellaneous features ### FEATURES is a list of comma separated words that can include: caret, diagnostics-show-caret show errors with carets fixit, diagnostics-parseable-fixits show machine-readable fixes syntax-only do not generate any file all all of the above none disable all of the above ### Diagnostics: ### -W --warnings report the warnings falling in CATEGORY **--color**[=_WHEN_] whether to colorize the diagnostics **--style**=_FILE_ specify the CSS FILE for colorizer diagnostics ### Warning categories include: conflicts-sr S/R conflicts (enabled by default) conflicts-rr R/R conflicts (enabled by default) counterexamples, cex generate conflict counterexamples dangling-alias string aliases not attached to a symbol deprecated obsolete constructs empty-rule empty rules without %empty midrule-values unset or unused midrule values precedence useless precedence and associativity yacc incompatibilities with POSIX Yacc other all other warnings (enabled by default) all all the warnings except 'counterexamples', 'dangling-alias' and 'yacc' no-CATEGORY turn off warnings in CATEGORY none turn off all the warnings error[=CATEGORY] treat warnings as errors ### WHEN can be one of the following: always, yes colorize the output never, no don't colorize the output auto, tty colorize if the output device is a tty ### Tuning the Parser: ### -L --language specify the output programming language ### -S --skeleton specify the skeleton to use ### -t --debug instrument the parser for tracing same as '-Dparse.trace' ### --locations enable location support ### -D --define=NAME similar to '%define NAME VALUE' ### -F --force-define=NAME override '%define NAME VALUE' ### -p --name-prefix prepend PREFIX to the external symbols deprecated by '-Dapi.prefix={PREFIX}' ### -l --no-lines don't generate '#line' directives ### -k --token-table include a table of token names ### -y --yacc emulate POSIX Yacc ### Output Files: ### -H --header also produce a header file ### -d ### -r --report also produce details on the automaton **--report-file**=_FILE_ write report to FILE ### -v --verbose same as '--report=state' ### -b --file-prefix specify a PREFIX for output files ### -o --output leave output to FILE ### -g --graph also output a graph of the automaton **--html**[=_FILE_] also output an HTML report of the automaton ### -x --xml also output an XML report of the automaton ### -M --file-prefix-map in output files ### THINGS is a list of comma separated words that can include: states describe the states itemsets complete the core item sets with their closure lookaheads explicitly associate lookahead tokens to items solved describe shift/reduce conflicts solving counterexamples, cex generate conflict counterexamples all include all the above information none disable the report ## AUTHOR Written by Robert Corbett and Richard Stallman. ## REPORTING BUGS Report bugs to <>. GNU Bison home page: <>. General help using GNU software: <>. Report translation bugs to <>. For complete documentation, run: info bison. ## COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc. This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ## SEE ALSO [**lex**(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/lex/1/markdown), [**flex**(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/flex/1/markdown), [**yacc**(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/yacc/1/markdown). The full documentation for **bison** is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the **info** and **bison** programs are properly installed at your site, the command **info** **bison** should give you access to the complete manual. GNU Bison 3.8.2 March 2022 [BISON(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/BISON/1/markdown)