What do we call the rules that specify whether a phrase makes sense in programming?

The concept referred to in the question deals with the rules that govern the structure and formation of statements in a programming language, which is known as syntax. Syntax defines the proper arrangement of words, symbols, and punctuation in code. A program must follow these grammatical rules to be considered valid by the compiler or interpreter, allowing the program to be correctly parsed and executed.

The inclusion of semantic analysis in the question pertains to the meanings of phrases and statements. While semantic analysis ensures that the code is meaningful and checks for logical consistency, it is distinct from syntax, which strictly relates to the form and structure of the code itself.

Data types categorize the kinds of values a variable can hold, while compilation is the process of transforming code written in a high-level programming language into machine code, which is beyond just checking phrases for logical sense. Thus, the correct term for the rules that dictate whether a phrase makes sense in programming is syntax.