File: gawk.info,  Node: User-defined,  Next: Indirect Calls,  Prev: Built-in,  Up: Functions

9.2 User-Defined Functions
==========================

Complicated 'awk' programs can often be simplified by defining your own
functions.  User-defined functions can be called just like built-in ones
(*note Function Calls::), but it is up to you to define them (i.e., to
tell 'awk' what they should do).

* Menu:

* Definition Syntax::           How to write definitions and what they mean.
* Function Example::            An example function definition and what it
                                does.
* Function Calling::            Calling user-defined functions.
* Return Statement::            Specifying the value a function returns.
* Dynamic Typing::              How variable types can change at runtime.