File: gawk.info, Node: Functions, Next: Library Functions, Prev: Arrays, Up: Top 9 Functions *********** This major node describes 'awk''s built-in functions, which fall into three categories: numeric, string, and I/O. 'gawk' provides additional groups of functions to work with values that represent time, do bit manipulation, sort arrays, provide type information, and internationalize and localize programs. Besides the built-in functions, 'awk' has provisions for writing new functions that the rest of a program can use. The second half of this major node describes these "user-defined" functions. Finally, we explore indirect function calls, a 'gawk'-specific extension that lets you determine at runtime what function is to be called. * Menu: * Built-in:: Summarizes the built-in functions. * User-defined:: Describes User-defined functions in detail. * Indirect Calls:: Choosing the function to call at runtime. * Functions Summary:: Summary of functions.