Conventions on the Notation

Throughout the manual, a (sometimes naïve) Backus-Naur-like syntax description is used. Extensions are made, such as to put optional arguments in square brackets [], mutually exclusive arguments in curly brackets {}, separated by the logical ``or'' | operator. Non-terminal symbols are enclosed in angle brackets <>, while terminal symbols are written in normal types. The association of a non-terminal with terminal or non-terminal symbols is performed by means of the operator `::='. When required, the type of a non-terminal symbol is enforced in a ``C'' programming language casting style, by prepending a (usually self-explanatory) type enclosed in plain brackets ().