Absolute Beginner's Guide to Minecraft Mods Programming

Rogers Cadenhead is a writer, computer programmer, and web developer who has written more than 20 books on Internet-related topics, including Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours. He maintains the Drudge Retort and other websites that receive more than 20 million visits a year. This book's official website is at www.javaminecraft.com.

Part I: Java from the Ground Up




1 Dig into Minecraft Programming with Java



Setting Up a Minecraft Server

Connecting to the Server

2 Use NetBeans for Minecraft Programming



Installing NetBeans

Creating a New Project
Creating a New Java Class
Running the Application
Fixing Errors





3 Create a Minecraft Mod



Creating Your First Mod

4 Start Writing Java Programs



What You Need to Write Programs

Creating the Splash Program

Beginning the Program

Storing Information in a Variable

Saving the Finished Product

Compiling the Program into a Class File

Fixing Errors

Running a Java Program



5 Understand How Java Programs Work



Creating an Application

Sending Arguments to Applications

The Java Class Library



6 Store and Change Information in a Mod



Statements and Expressions

Assigning Variable Types

Naming Your Variables

Storing Information in Variables

All About Operators

Using Expressions



7 Use Strings to Communicate



Storing Text in Strings

Displaying Strings in Programs

Using Special Characters in Strings

Pasting Strings Together

Using Other Variables with Strings

Advanced String Handling

Presenting Credits



8 Use Conditional Tests to Make Decisions



if Statements

if-else Statements

switch Statements

The Ternary Operator

Watching the Clock



9 Repeat an Action with Loops



for Loops

while Loops

do-while Loops

Exiting a Loop

Naming a Loop

Testing Your Computer Speed



10 Store Information with Arrays



Creating Arrays

Using Arrays

Multidimensional Arrays

Sorting an Array

Counting Characters in Strings



Part II: The World of Java Objects




11 Create Your First Object



How Object-Oriented Programming Works

Objects in Action

What Objects Are

Understanding Inheritance

Building an Inheritance Hierarchy

Converting Objects and Simple Variables

Creating an Object



12 Describe What Your Object Is Like



Creating Variables

Creating Class Variables

Creating Behavior with Methods

Putting One Class Inside Another

Using the this Keyword

Using Class Methods and Variables



13 Make the Most of Existing Objects



The Power of Inheritance

Establishing Inheritance

Working with Existing Objects

Storing Objects of the Same Class in Array Lists

Creating a Subclass



14 Store Objects in Data Structures



Array Lists

Hash Maps



15 Handle Errors in a Mod



Exceptions

Throwing and Catching Exceptions



16 Create a Threaded Mod



Threads

Working with Threads

The Constructor

Catching Errors as You Set Up URLs

Starting the Thread

Handling Mouse Clicks

Displaying Revolving Links



17 Read and Write Files



Streams

Writing Data to a Stream

Reading and Writing Configuration Properties



Part III: Create Killer Minecraft Mods




18 Spawn a Mob



The Mod Framework

Starting a Mod Project

Writing the Mod's Code



19 Make One Mob Ride Another



Starting the Project

Writing the Mod

Deploying the Mod



20 Take a Census of Mobs and Villages



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



21 Transmute Materials in an Inventory



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



22 Dig a Giant Hole



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



23 Chop Down a Forest of Trees



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



24 Respond to Events in the Game



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



25 Display a Mob's Health During Combat



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



26 Make a World Change over Time



Starting the Project

Creating the Project



27 Befriend the God of Lightning



Starting the Project

Stepping Through Mod Development

Creating the Project

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