What is a set of production rules for strings in a formal language called?

A set of production rules for strings in a formal language is referred to as grammar. In the context of formal languages, grammar serves as a framework that specifies how strings can be generated from a set of symbols. It consists of a series of rules that dictate how sequences of symbols can be combined to create valid strings within the language.

Grammars are essential in various fields, including computer science, linguistics, and formal logic, as they define the syntactical structure of languages. Specifically, each production rule corresponds to a way to replace or expand non-terminal symbols with combinations of terminal symbols and other non-terminals, ultimately leading to the formation of strings that belong to the language.

While syntax is related to the arrangement of symbols and could be a characteristic of grammar, it does not encompass the entire set of rules governing string formation. Structure and format may refer to the organization or presentation of data but do not specifically describe the set of production rules inherent to formal languages. Thus, grammar is the most accurate term in this context.