# Grammars

A file format specification can include a grammar definition, used for syntax highlighting, and to help define which differences are important. For example, our standard file format for C/C++ source code includes a grammar that recognizes keywords, comments, and literal strings. By flagging differences in comments as unimportant, you can better concentrate on important differences. A grammar definition in Beyond Compare is fairly simplistic. It does not support nested or context-specific definitions, so it doesn't handle tagged languages like HTML and PHP very well. To edit a grammar, pick Beyond Compare > File Formats and find the appropriate file format. Switch to the Grammar tab and edit the grammar items.