the.com/syntax
the invisible scaffolding that decides whether words become meaning or mush
means The set of rules governing how words combine into phrases and sentences in a language (and, in programming, how code must be written to be valid).
from From Greek syntaxis, 'an arranging together,' built from syn- ('together') and taxis ('arrangement, order') — the same taxis behind 'tactics,' where soldiers are arranged in formation. So syntax is literally words drawn up in proper battle order; it entered English in the 17th century by way of Latin and French.
- word origin
- From Greek syntaxis: arranging soldiers in formation
- recursion
- Sentences can nest inside sentences, theoretically forever
- universal grammar
- Chomsky argued all human syntax shares deep structure
- misplaced commas
- One comma reportedly cost a company millions in court
- code's tyranny
- A single missing semicolon can crash entire programs