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Syntax Table Internals

Each element of a syntax table is an integer that encodes the syntax of one character: the syntax class, possible matching character, and flags. Lisp programs don't usually work with the elements directly; the Lisp-level syntax table functions usually work with syntax descriptors (see section Syntax Descriptors).

The low 8 bits of each element of a syntax table indicate the syntax class.

Integer
Class
0
whitespace
1
punctuation
2
word
3
symbol
4
open parenthesis
5
close parenthesis
6
expression prefix
7
string quote
8
paired delimiter
9
escape
10
character quote
11
comment-start
12
comment-end
13
inherit

The next 8 bits are the matching opposite parenthesis (if the character has parenthesis syntax); otherwise, they are not meaningful. The next 6 bits are the flags.


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