# after

[Built-ins](README.md)

Canonical ID: `events.after`. Nederlands: `na`.

Starts the block under `when after(...)` once its waiting time has passed and the script gets a turn. This is a **one-shot timer**: it runs once, not repeatedly. All these timers start counting at the same moment after **initialization**, the ordinary instructions that prepare the program before event scripts run.

Their **deadline** is the earliest time they may run. Equal deadlines keep the order written in the file. A zero-second timer waits behind `started` work. Another interactive execution round does not restart a used timer. Reset prepares new timers; Stop, exit, a failure, or closing the session cancels those still waiting.

## Signature

```text
when after(seconds):
```

## Arguments

| Parameter | Type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| `seconds` | Number literal | A direct finite literal from 0 through 10; no variable, expression, or unary sign. |

## Return value

Event descriptor.

## Example

```pliro
# language: en
when started():
    say "A"
when after(0.05):
    say "B"
```

Prints `A`, then `B` after the timer becomes ready.

## Notes and common mistakes

Use the function name for your source language. Its [canonical ID](../concepts/canonical-identity.md) is a shared documentation label; you do not type that ID as a call. Giving your own variable or function the same name can hide the built-in. Supply the documented [arguments](../concepts/parameters-and-arguments.md) and value types. Pliro reports mismatches when checking can detect them, or when the call runs.

An **event descriptor** selects the event in a top-level `when` header, outside other blocks (`E3201`–`E3203`). A **reporter** is an ordinary function that returns a value, such as `pointerX`; `broadcast` is an ordinary call too. A **handler** is the block reacting to an event. Key and pointer handlers keep a run ready for future input and need [host support](../guides/hosts.md) (`E4019`). Pointer reporters need the current pointer event (`E4020`). The whole run has a shared [event-work limit](../guides/limits.md) (`E4018`). Ordinary setup must finish before handlers get turns. See [event rules](../guides/events.md) and [pointer positions](../guides/pointer-input.md).

## Related entries

[started](started.md) · [messageReceived](messageReceived.md) · [keyPressed](keyPressed.md) · [pointerPressed](pointerPressed.md) · [pointerReleased](pointerReleased.md) · [Programming guides](../guides/events.md) · [Host support](../guides/hosts.md) · [Calls and arguments](../syntax/calls.md)