===== Syntax =====

<code php>
number abs(mixed $value)
</code>

//(PHP 4, PHP 5)//

^ $value | A numeric value (either a float or an integer). |
^ RETURNS | The absolute value of the numeric argument (**$value**). |

===== What it Does =====

Calculates the absolute value of the numeric argument and returns it.  So if you pass it a value of ''-5'', the result would be ''5''.

===== Example =====

<code php>
// demonstrate the abs function
echo 'Abs(-123) = ' . abs(-123);
</code>