C Tokens

In a C source program, the basic element recognized by the compiler is the "token." A token is source-program text that the compiler doesn't break down into component elements.

Syntax

token:
 keyword
 identifier
 constant
 string-literal
 operator
 punctuator

Note

See the introduction to C Language Syntax Summary for an explanation of the ANSI syntax conventions.

The keywords, identifiers, constants, string literals, and operators described in this section are examples of tokens. Punctuation characters such as brackets ([ ]), braces ({ }), parentheses ( ( ) ), and commas (,) are also tokens.

See also

Elements of C