Function generators are used in the development, test and repair of electronic equipment. They are used to generate different types of electrical waveforms over a wide range of frequencies. Some of the most common waveforms produced by the function generator are the sine, square, triangular and saw tooth shapes. These waveforms can be either repetitive or single-shot (which requires an internal or external trigger source). Integrated circuits used to generate waveforms may also be described as function generator ICs. 

Although function generators cover both audio and RF frequencies, they are usually not suitable for applications that need low distortion or stable frequency signals. Some function generators can be phase-locked to an external signal source (which may be a frequency reference) or another function generator.