# Overview

Use this section as the entry point for Pinot SQL functions. The goal here is navigation: pick the function family, understand whether it is query-safe in the single-stage engine, and jump to the detailed page when you need full syntax or examples.

Most core function families work in both engines. Window functions require the multi-stage engine, and the engine column in the function index is the quickest way to confirm the supported execution model for a specific function.

## Browse by family

| Family              | Typical use                                        | Engine signal                            | Detailed docs                                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Aggregation         | Metrics, distinct counts, sketches, percentiles    | Both, with a few window-oriented helpers | [Aggregation Functions](/functions/aggregation.md)         |
| Array               | Multi-value and array manipulation                 | Both                                     | [Array Functions](/functions/array.md)                     |
| Binary              | Hashing and encoding                               | Both                                     | [Binary Functions](/functions/binary.md)                   |
| DateTime            | Bucketing, truncation, epoch conversion            | Both                                     | [DateTime Functions](/functions/datetime.md)               |
| Funnel              | Funnel analytics                                   | Both                                     | [Funnel Functions](/functions/funnel.md)                   |
| Geospatial          | Spatial predicates and geometry conversion         | Both                                     | [GeoSpatial Functions](/functions/geospatial.md)           |
| Hash                | Hash-based distribution and routing helpers        | Both                                     | [Hash Functions](/functions/hash.md)                       |
| IP Address          | Network and subnet checks                          | Both                                     | [IP Address Functions](/functions/ip-address.md)           |
| JSON                | Path extraction, formatting, and typed JSON access | Both, with query-safe typed variants     | [JSON Functions](/functions/json.md)                       |
| Math                | Arithmetic and numeric shaping                     | Both                                     | [Math Functions](/functions/math.md)                       |
| Miscellaneous       | Utility predicates and helpers                     | Both                                     | [Miscellaneous Functions](/functions/misc.md)              |
| Null handling       | Null-aware query behavior                          | Both, when null support is enabled       | [Null Handling Functions](/functions/null-handling.md)     |
| Sketch              | Approximate analytics helpers                      | Both                                     | [Sketch Functions](/functions/sketch.md)                   |
| Statistical         | Variance and covariance functions                  | Both                                     | [Statistical Functions](/functions/statistical.md)         |
| String              | Case, slicing, tokenizing, regex, and formatting   | Both                                     | [String Functions](/functions/string.md)                   |
| Trigonometric       | Sine, cosine, and related math                     | Both                                     | [Trigonometric Functions](/functions/trigonometric.md)     |
| Type conversion     | Cast-like and conversion helpers                   | Both                                     | [Type Conversion Functions](/functions/type-conversion.md) |
| UDFs                | Custom extension points                            | Varies by implementation                 | [User-Defined Functions](/functions/udf.md)                |
| Vector / similarity | Embeddings and similarity search helpers           | Both, where supported                    | [Vector / Similarity Functions](/functions/vector.md)      |
| Window              | Ranking, framing, and rolling calculations         | Multi-stage only                         | [Window Functions](/functions/window.md)                   |

## Ingestion-time transformations

If you are shaping records before they land in Pinot, use the curated transformation guide instead of starting from the raw function catalog.

{% content-ref url="/pages/VO5X7nTCKIijTYDFhD6K" %}
[Transformations](/functions/transformations.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

The transformation guide pulls together the functions most often used in schema updates, ingestion configs, and query projections, including typed JSON access, string shaping, date/time conversion, and multi-value helpers.

## Engine choice

If you are deciding whether a query belongs on the single-stage engine or the multi-stage engine, use the decision guide first and then return here for the function family that matters.

{% content-ref url="/pages/qPhpMkSMXnNy4Sy2K07g" %}
[Query Engines (SSE vs MSE)](/build-with-pinot/querying-and-sql/sse-vs-mse.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## What this page covered

* The major Pinot function families and the engine signal for each family.
* Where to go for ingestion-time transformation guidance.
* Which engine decision guide to use before choosing a function-heavy query shape.

## Next step

* Open the function family page for the syntax and examples you need, then confirm the engine constraints before writing the query.

## Related pages

* [SSE vs MSE](/build-with-pinot/querying-and-sql/sse-vs-mse.md)
* [Transformations](/functions/transformations.md)
* [Function Index](/functions/function-index.md)


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.