process-start

rule

Syntax
process-start condition?
   action*


Purpose

A rule to be performed before all other processing.

A process-start has several special stream-related properties. Streams opened in process-start rules without specifying the domain-free open modifier can be written to by:

  • cross-translations and down-translations (all rules).
  • up-translations, context-translations, and programs containing process rules (all structured markup rules).

Changing groups in a process-start rule has the following effects:

  • in a cross-translation or a down-translation, this can affect any following rule.
  • in an up-translation, context-translation, or program containing process rules, this can only affect structured markup rules.

Of course, changing groups never affects a subsequent rule if it is done within an action preceded by a using group as prefix.

Changing groups can affect a process-start rule as follows:

  • in a cross-translation or down-translation, if it is done in any rule.
  • in an up-translation, context-translation, or program containing process rules, but only if it is done in a structured markup rule.