We solve the boson normal ordering problem for (q(a*)a + v(a*))^n with arbitrary functions q and v and integer n, where a and a* are boson annihilation and creation operators, satisfying [a,a*]=1. This leads to exponential operators generalizing the shift operator and we show that their action can be expressed in terms of substitutions. Our solution is naturally related through the coherent state representation to the exponential generating functions of Sheffer-type polynomials. This in turn opens a vast arena of combinatorial methodology which is applied to boson normal ordering and illustrated by a few examples.
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