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Learn parsing with online courses and programs

Parsing is the process of examining text or code to identify its underlying structure and meaning using a predefined set of rules. Learn parsing to efficiently extract valuable insights from data.
Parsing | Introduction Image Description

What is parsing?

Parsing is a process that analyzes and breaks down a sequence of input symbols or tokens into its component parts to determine its structure and meaning.

These input symbols may include lines of code or human language. For example, in natural language processing, parsing can extract meaningful information from sentences by analyzing the relationships between components such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.Footnote 1 Similarly, in computer programming the parsing step breaks down complex code into smaller units so that other software can understand it.

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Parsing tutorial curriculum

A parsing course can be beneficial to those who work with data on a regular basis, such as data analysts or computer programmers. If you are just starting out, a parsing tutorial can equip beginners and professionals with introductory parsing skills that can benefit their careers. After learning what parsing is, you can review the types of parsers and learn how to parse regular expressions. If you’re dealing with complex data structures, coursework can focus on advanced parsing techniques and well as parser optimization techniques.

Are you ready to start learning? edX offers a variety of educational opportunities for learners interested in studying many different topics. A boot camp can provide flexible, hands-on learning for those who want to upskill quickly, while executive education courses are designed for busy professionals. You can also pursue a more comprehensive curriculum in a bachelor’s degree program or, for more advanced learners, a master’s degree program. Find the right learning path for you.

Explore jobs that use parsing

A firm understanding of parsing, among other skills, can lead to rewarding careers that involve natural language processing, computer programming, data analysis, and robotics. Parsing is useful in careers that require extraction of meaningful insights from data, such as emails, HTML pages, Microsoft Excel documents, and more. Knowledge in parsing can be useful in careers such as:

  • Software engineer: Analyzes what users need, design and build software to meet those needs, and maintain it to make sure it works properly.Footnote 2

  • Data analyst: Collects, processes, and performs statistical analyses of large datasets to identify trends and insights that can inform business decisions.Footnote 3

  • Web developer: Specializes in the design, development, and maintenance of websites. They are responsible for creating visually appealing, user-friendly, and functional websites.Footnote 4

  • Information security analyst: Analyzes an organization's information systems and data to identify and mitigate potential security risks and threats.Footnote 5

Each of these roles will have different educational and skills requirements. If you strive to become a software developer, you can start building the knowledge you need in a coding boot camp. However if you want to focus on learning how to derive insights from data, a data analytics boot camp or an even more comprehensive data science degree program may better suit your needs. Find the learning format that aligns with your professional aspirations.

How to use parsing in your career

Parsing can be a valuable skill in your career, allowing you to extract and process meaningful information from complex data. In fields like software development, data analysis, and web scraping, you can leverage parsing techniques, such as using regular expressions or string manipulation functions in programming languages like Python, to extract, validate, and transform data. 

For instance, you can utilize parsing techniques, specifically Python string parsing, to extract and manipulate relevant information from textual data. By employing libraries like “split,” you can parse and analyze strings.

Parsing skills will enable you to perform tasks such as data extraction, data cleaning, and pattern matching for various applications such as text processing, web scraping, or data analysis.