Token. What is a token in the C# programming language? A token is a specific part of a C# program. The specification defines a token using the C# grammar.
Tokens are generally any unit that is not whitespace or a comment. They are part of the text of a program. We examine tokens at the level of the C# language.
Example. Let us explore the concept of tokens by looking at this C# program. We see the program and then break it up into individual tokens.
Detail Types of tokens include keywords (class), identifiers (Program), literals (2) and operators (=).
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
int test = 2;
float item = 5.5f;
char unit = 'e';
string basic = "c#";
}
}class
Program
"{"
static
void
Main
(
)
"{"
int
test
=
2
;
float
item
=
5.5f
;
char
unit
=
'e'
;
string
basic
=
"c#"
;
"}""}"identifier:
Identifiers are arbitrary names in your C# program.
This includes Program, Main, test, item, unit and basic.
keyword:
Many keywords are reserved by the C# language.
These include class, static, void, int, float, char and string.
integer-literal:
real-literal:
character-literal:
string-literal:
Literals are constant values you can use in your program.
These include 2, 5.5f, 'e' and "c#".
Literals include the enclosing quotation marks.
For the literal 5.5f, the numeric suffix is included in the literal.
This is a real-literal.
operator-or-punctuator:
These are characters in your program that are part of the scope
structure, or assignment and arithmetic statements.
Some operators, such as && are considered a single token.
The characters () are separate tokens.
Specification. For more material like this on the C# language, the specification is available. This material was adapted from page 61 of the C# annotated specification.
A summary. We now know what a token is in the C# language. This can be helpful in understanding how the language is parsed—and how to fix compile-time errors.
Any time you see more closely how the compiler approaches a language, you gain insight into how it should be used. This description provides insight into how the C# compiler views programs.
Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.
Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.