endofclause

Endofclause is a term used in logic programming and formal grammars to denote a delimiter that marks the end of a clause within a textual or serialized representation of a program or knowledge base. The concept is primarily a syntactic boundary that enables parsers to segment input into discrete clauses for separate processing, without altering the logical content of the clause itself.

In many Prolog‑like languages, a clause ends with a terminating symbol such as a period. In other systems, a dedicated token such as END_OF_CLAUSE may be employed. The end-of-clause marker is typically considered a syntactic device rather than part of the logical assertion, and its exact form varies across languages and data formats. Its presence simplifies tokenization, error reporting, and the streaming processing of rules.

Practical considerations include how the marker interacts with whitespace, comments, and multi-line clauses. Some formats permit embedded delimiters under certain conditions, while others require a strict, unambiguous end-of-clause token to avoid misinterpretation of subsequent clauses or nested structures. In serialized knowledge bases or rule sets, endofclause markers help preserve a clear boundary between rules when clauses are stored, transmitted, or parsed incrementally.

Example: a clause such as father(X, Y) :- parent(X, Y). ends with a period in a Prolog-style syntax, with the period acting as the end-of-clause marker. In alternative formats, an explicit END_OF_CLAUSE token might perform the same role.

See also: clause, Prolog, logic programming, delimiter, token, end of line.