gawk: Extension Design

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1 C.5 Extension API Design
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1 This minor node documents the design of the extension API, including a
1 discussion of some of the history and problems that needed to be solved.
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1    The first version of extensions for 'gawk' was developed in the
1 mid-1990s and released with 'gawk' 3.1 in the late 1990s.  The basic
1 mechanisms and design remained unchanged for close to 15 years, until
1 2012.
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1    The old extension mechanism used data types and functions from 'gawk'
1 itself, with a "clever hack" to install extension functions.
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1    'gawk' included some sample extensions, of which a few were really
1 useful.  However, it was clear from the outset that the extension
1 mechanism was bolted onto the side and was not really well thought out.
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Menu

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· Old Extension Problems           Problems with the old mechanism.
· Extension New Mechanism Goals    Goals for the new mechanism.
· Extension Other Design Decisions Some other design decisions.
· Extension Future Growth          Some room for future growth.
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