Definition:Alphabet (Formal Language)

Let $$\mathcal{F}$$ be a formal language.

Then there exists a specifically-defined set of symbols from which words in $$\mathcal{F}$$ may be constructed.

That set of symbols is called the alphabet of $$\mathcal{F}$$.

The symbols themselves are called the primitive symbols of $$\mathcal{F}$$.

An alphabet consists of the following parts:


 * Letters;
 * Signs.

Depending on the specific nature of any particular formal language, these too may be subcategorized.