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gawk: BEGIN/END

 
 7.1.4 The 'BEGIN' and 'END' Special Patterns
 --------------------------------------------
 
 All the patterns described so far are for matching input records.  The
 'BEGIN' and 'END' special patterns are different.  They supply startup
 and cleanup actions for 'awk' programs.  'BEGIN' and 'END' rules must
 have actions; there is no default action for these rules because there
 is no current record when they run.  'BEGIN' and 'END' rules are often
 referred to as "'BEGIN' and 'END' blocks" by longtime 'awk' programmers.

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· Using BEGIN/END             How and why to use BEGIN/END rules.
· I/O And BEGIN/END           I/O issues in BEGIN/END rules.
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