# lex > Lexical analyzer generator. > Given the specification for a lexical analyzer, generates C code implementing it. > More information: . - Generate an analyzer from a Lex file, storing it to the file `lex.yy.c`: `lex {{analyzer.l}}` - Write analyzer to `stdout`: `lex -{{-stdout|t}} {{analyzer.l}}` - Specify the output file: `lex {{analyzer.l}} --outfile {{analyzer.c}}` - Generate a [B]atch scanner instead of an interactive scanner: `lex -B {{analyzer.l}}` - Compile a C file generated by Lex: `cc {{path/to/lex.yy.c}} --output {{executable}}`