# started

[Built-ins](README.md)

Canonical ID: `events.started`. Nederlands: `gestart`.

Starts its event block once the program's **initialization** is finished. Initialization means running the ordinary instructions at **top level**, outside functions and event blocks. `started()` is an **event descriptor**: it belongs directly after `when` and cannot be used as an ordinary call.

If there are several started blocks, Pliro queues them in the order written. Put an ongoing animation loop in a started block when other event blocks need turns during its positive waits. A never-ending loop in ordinary top-level setup would prevent the event blocks from starting at all.

## Signature

```text
when started():
```

## Arguments

This call takes no arguments. Always write the parentheses.

## Return value

Event descriptor.

## Example

```pliro
# language: en
let score = 0
when started():
    set score = score + 1
    say score
```

Prints `1` after initialization.

## 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

[after](after.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)