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(gawk.info)Built-in Variables

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Built-in Variables
==================

   Most `awk' variables are available for you to use for your own
purposes; they never change unless your program assigns values to them,
and they never affect anything unless your program examines them.
However, a few variables in `awk' have special built-in meanings.
`awk' examines some of these automatically, so that they enable you to
tell `awk' how to do certain things.  Others are set automatically by
`awk', so that they carry information from the internal workings of
`awk' to your program.

   This minor node documents all the built-in variables of `gawk', most
of which are also documented in the chapters describing their areas of
activity.

User-modified

Built-in variables that you change to control

`awk'.

Auto-set

Built-in variables where `awk' gives

you information.

ARGC and ARGV

Ways to use `ARGC' and `ARGV'.