# Ruff Python Parser

Ruff's Python parser is a hand-written [recursive descent parser] which can parse
Python source code into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST). It also utilizes the [Pratt
parsing](https://matklad.github.io/2020/04/13/simple-but-powerful-pratt-parsing.html)
technique to parse expressions with different [precedence](https://docs.python.org/3/reference/expressions.html#operator-precedence).

Try out the parser in the [playground](https://play.ruff.rs/?secondary=AST).

## Python version support

The parser supports the latest Python syntax, which is currently Python 3.12.
It does not throw syntax errors if it encounters a syntax feature that is not
supported by the [`target-version`](https://docs.astral.sh/ruff/settings/#target-version).
This will be fixed in a future release (see <https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff/issues/6591>).

## Contributing

Refer to the [contributing guidelines](./CONTRIBUTING.md) to get started and GitHub issues with the
[parser label](https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff/issues?q=is:open+is:issue+label:parser) for issues that need help.

[recursive descent parser]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recursive_descent_parser