LEX Code that accepts the string ending with ‘abb’ over input alphabet {a,b}

In this article, we will discuss the LEX Code that accepts the string ending with ‘abb’ over input alphabet  {a,b} and will see the implementation using LEX code and will understand the approach. Let’s discuss it one by one. 

Problem Overview :
LEX Code that accepts the string ending with ‘abb’ over input alphabet  {a,b}.

Example –

Input  : abb
Output : Accepted

Input  : abababb
Output : Accepted

Input  : 23ab
Output : Invalid

Input  : ab345
Output : Invalid

Input  : bbabaa
Output : Not Accepted

Approach :
LEX provides us with an INITIAL state by default. So to make a DFA, use this as the initial state of the DFA. We define four more states: A, B, C, and DEAD, where the DEAD state would be used if encountering a wrong or invalid input. When the user inputs an invalid character, move to DEAD state, and then print “Invalid”. If the input string ends at C then display the message “Accepted”. Else if the input string ends at state INITIAL, A, or B then displays the message “Not Accepted”.

Note –
To compile the lex program we need to have a Unix system that has flex installed into it. Then we need to save the file with the .l extension.

Example –

filename.l

Then after saving the program closes the lex file and then open the terminal and write the following commands as follows.

lex filename.l
cc lex.yy.c
./a.out

Implementation- LEX Code :

%{
%}
 
%s A B C DEAD

// not accepted state after visiting A 
%%
<INITIAL>a BEGIN A;
<INITIAL>b BEGIN INITIAL;
<INITIAL>[^ab\n] BEGIN DEAD;
<INITIAL>\n BEGIN INITIAL; {printf("Not Accepted\n");}

// not accepted state after visiting A and B state
<A>a BEGIN A;
<A>b BEGIN B;
<A>[^ab\n] BEGIN DEAD;
<A>\n BEGIN INITIAL; {printf("Not Accepted\n");}
 
// // not accepted state after visiting A and C state  
<B>a BEGIN A;
<B>b BEGIN C;
<B>[^ab\n] BEGIN DEAD;
<B>\n BEGIN INITIAL; {printf("Not Accepted\n");}

// Accepted case
<C>a BEGIN A;
<C>b BEGIN INITIAL;
<C>[^ab\n] BEGIN DEAD;
<C>\n BEGIN INITIAL; {printf("Accepted\n");}

// Invalid Case 
<DEAD>[^\n] BEGIN DEAD;
<DEAD>\n BEGIN INITIAL; {printf("Invalid\n");}
 
%%
// yywrap method
int yywrap()
{
return 1;
}  

// main method 
int main()
{
   printf("Enter String\n");
   // called yylex
   yylex();
return 0;
}

Output :