title: What are the parentheses used for in a bash shell script function definition like "f () {}"? Is it different than using the "function" keyword?
body: <p>I'v always wondered what they're used for?
  Seems silly to put them in every time if you can never put anything inside them.</p>
  
  <pre><code>function_name () {
      #statements
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Also is there anything to gain/lose with putting the <code>function</code> keyword at the start of a function?</p>
  
  <pre><code>function function_name () {
      #statements
  }
  </code></pre>