Semantic entity manipulation technique embodiments are presented that generate a probabilistic program capable of manipulating character strings representing semantic entities based on input-output examples. The program can then be used to produce a desired output consistent with the input-output examples from inputs of a type included in the examples. The probabilistic program is generated based on the output of parsing, transform and formatting modules. The parsing module employs a probabilistic approach to parsing the input-output examples. The transform module identifies a weighted set of transforms that are capable of producing the output item from the input items of an input-output example to a likelihood specified by their assigned weight. The formatting module generates formatting instructions that transform selected output parts into a form specified by the output items in the input-output examples.