How do I use shell variables in an awk script?

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I found some ways to pass external shell variables to an awk script, but I’m confused about ' and ".

First, I tried with a shell script:

$ v=123test
$ echo $v
123test
$ echo "$v"
123test

Then tried awk:

$ awk 'BEGIN{print "'$v'"}'
$ 123test
$ awk 'BEGIN{print '"$v"'}'
$ 123

Why is the difference?

Lastly I tried this:

$ awk 'BEGIN{print " '$v' "}'
$  123test
$ awk 'BEGIN{print ' "$v" '}'
awk: cmd. line:1: BEGIN{print
awk: cmd. line:1:             ^ unexpected newline or end of string

I’m confused about this.

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