A Stochastic Syntax Analysis Procedure and Its Application to Pattern Classification

Abstract

A procedure is described for stochastic syntax analysis of context-free languages. The parsing algorithm utilizes a bottom-up technique used in precedence languages. All decisions encountered in the algorithm ate determined statistically. The stochastic choice is computed from the a priori probability distribution of the language. Also developed is a stochastic context-free language for use in pattern classification of chromosome images. Classification is based on statistical decision theory with the probability of occurrence of each pattern computed from the stochastic context-free grammar.