# Parsing: How Ruby Understands Your Code

DevFeed: [Parsing: How Ruby Understands Your Code](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/parsing-how-ruby-understands-your-code-31806.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://patshaughnessy.net/2025/10/27/parsing-how-ruby-understands-your-code>)

Author: Pat Shaughnessy

Published: 2025-10-27T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Pat Shaughnessy](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/pat-shaughnessy.md>)

Topics: [Parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/parsing.md>), [Ruby](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ruby.md>), [Parser](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/parser.md>), [syntax](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/syntax.md>), [tokenization](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tokenization.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>), [Algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/algorithm.md>)

Tags: [algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/algorithm.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/parsing.md>), [ruby](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ruby.md>), [syntax](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/syntax.md>), [tokenization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tokenization.md>), [updating-ruby-under-a-microscope](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/updating-ruby-under-a-microscope.md>)

## AI overview

This excerpt explains how Ruby parses source code after tokenization. It describes syntax matching, recursive parsing of subexpressions, and syntax errors when no pattern matches.

## Source excerpt

I've started working on a new edition of Ruby Under a Microscope that covers Ruby 3.x. I'm working on this in my spare time, so it will take a while. Leave a comment or drop me a line and I'll email you when it's finished. Update