Abstract syntax tree (AST) is a data structure representing something which has been parsed, often used as a
compiler or
interpreter's internal representation of a
computer program while it is being optimised and from which code generation is performed. The range of all possible such structures is described by the
abstract syntax.
This article is based on material from FOLDOC, used with permission. Update as needed.
All Wikipedia text
is available under the
terms of the GNU Free Documentation License