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MessagePort.start

The start() method of the MessagePort interface starts the sending of messages queued on the port. This method is only needed when using EventTarget.addEventListener; it is implied when using MessageChannel.onmessage.

Note: This feature is available in Web Workers.

Syntax

port.start()

Returns

Void.

Parameters

None.

Example

In the following code block, you can see a handleMessage handler function, run when a message is sent back to this document using onmessage:

channel.port1.onmessage = handleMessage;
function handleMessage(e) {
  para.innerHTML = e.data;
}   

Another option would be to do this using EventTarget.addEventListener, however, when this method is used, you need to explicitly call start() to begin the flow of messages to this document:

channel.port1.addEventListener('message', handleMessage, false);
function handleMessage(e) {
  para.innerHTML = e.data;
  textInput.value = '';
}

channel.port1.start();

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'start()' in that specification.
Living Standard

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 4 (Yes) (Yes) 10.0 10.6 5
Available in workers (Yes) ? 41 (41) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) Firefox OS (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support 4.4 4 (Yes) No support No support 10.0 11.5 5.1
Available in workers (Yes) (Yes) ? 41.0 (41) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/MessagePort/start