What is Dolphin?

Dolphin is a very simple C++ API to parse 'dot' directives. An example of a 'dot' directive is as follows:

    .data size=100 origin=0x1000 var_name=__GLOBAL__
    

Motivation

XML format has become the most preferred and widely accepted information exchange format. However, there are instances wherein the XML format is perceived to be too heavy. Also, there are instances, like a source file of an assembly language program, where a 'dot' format is the preferred way. In our experience in building compiler tool chains, we have felt that using 'dot' directives to pass information from one tool to another was a simple, easy and an elegant way. We believe that 'dot' directives can be used to exchange information in a variety of domains, instead of XML, in order to avoid the heavy baggage which XML parsers bring along.

What can Dolphin do?

Dolphin is a simple and easy to use C++ API to parse 'dot' directives. The parser itself is built using the FSMPP and the SEAL libraries. There are clear cut rules as to what constitutes a legal 'dot' directive and what does not. The parser will report accurate error messages when it encounters an illegal 'dot' directive.

Take a look at the wiki page to learn about using Dolphin. The wiki also lists the rules for construction of legal 'dot' directives.

Take a look at the reference manual for API reference.