The easiest, quickest, most entertaining introduction to creating Minecraft mods in Java – updated to use the Spigot server for running your own Minecraft server and creating Minecraft mods

• Ideal for Minecraft users, young and old, who are new to programming
• Clear and friendly style assumes no prior programming knowledge
• Popular author Rogers Cadenhead breaks down Minecraft mods programming concepts and terms into short, easily understandable lessons
• Fun examples provide a step-by-step, hands-on experience that begins with simple tasks and gradually builds

Master Minecraft modding and use Java to transform Minecraft’s worlds, tools, behavior, weapons, structures, mobs…everything! (Plus, you’ll learn some basic Java programming skills you can use anywhere.) 

Learn how to do what you want, the way you want, one incredibly easy step at a time. Modding Minecraft has never been this simple.

This is the easiest, most practical beginner’s guide to creating killer Minecraft mods in Java… simple, reliable, full-color instructions for doing everything you really want to do. Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:

• Set up your Minecraft server and mod development tools
• Master Java basics every Minecraft modder needs to know
• Read, write, store, and change information throughout your mod
• Build mods that can make decisions and respond to player actions
• Understand object-oriented programming and the objects you can program in Minecraft
• Handle errors without crashing Minecraft
• Use threads to create mobs that can do many things at once
• Customize your mobs, and build on existing objects to write new mods
• Spawn new mobs, find hidden mobs, and make one mob ride another
• Dig holes and build structures
• Create projectile weapons and potion effects
• Learn Java programming while enhancing your favorite game

Contents at a Glance

Part I: Java from the Ground Up

1 Dig into Minecraft Programming with Java

2 Use NetBeans for Minecraft Programming

3 Create a Minecraft Mod

4 Start Writing Java Programs

5 Understand How Java Programs Work

6 Store and Change Information in a Mod

7 Use Strings to Communicate 

8 Use Conditional Tests to Make Decisions

9 Repeat an Action with Loops

10 Store Information with Arrays

Part II: The World of Java Objects

11 Create Your First Object

12 Describe What Your Object Is Like

13 Make the Most of Existing Objects

14 Store Objects in Data Structures

15 Handle Errors in a Mod

16 Create a Threaded Mod

17 Read and Write Files

18 Spawn a Mob

19 Make One Mob Ride Another

20 Take a Census of Mobs and Villages 

21 Transmute Materials in an Inventory

22 Dig a Giant Hole

23 Chop Down a Forest of Trees

24 Respond to Events in the Game

25 Display a Mob’s Health During Combat

26 Make a World Change over Time

27 Befriend the God of Lightning

Appendix A Visit This Book’s Website

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
2 Set Up a Minecraft Server
3 Use NetBeans to Create Mods
4 Write Your First Mod
5 Understand How Java Programs Work
6 Store and Change Information in a Mod
7 Use Strings to Communicate
8 Use Conditional Tests to Make Decisions
9 Repeat an Action with Loops
10 Store Information with Arrays

Part II: The World of Java Objects
11 Create Your First Object
12 Describe What Your Object is Like
13 Make the Most of Existing Objects
14 Store Objects in Data Structures
15 Handle Errors in a Mod
16 Create a Threaded Mod
17 Read and Write Files

Part III: Create Killer Minecraft Mods
18 Spawn a Mob
19 Make One Mob Ride Another
20 Find All Mobs
21 Dig a Hole
22 Build a Structure
23 Respond to a Player Action
24 Create a Projectile Weapon
25 Add a Potion Effect to a Mob
26 Create a Minecraft Skin
27 Share Your Mods

Appendixes
A Customize Your Minecraft Server
B Run a Server in the Cloud
C Visit This Book's Web Site