View source for Getting Started

== Prerequisite: Installing the mods ==
'''It is very important to read everything carefully before asking questions.'''
'''Also, the latest version this mod may not be compatible with the current Minecraft release.'''

# Install [http://jenkins.minecraftforge.net:7070/job/forge/171/ Minecraft Forge Recommended Build 1.2.5]
# Download the latest version of [http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/892282- ComputerCraft 1.41 (1.2.5)]
# Extract the .zip file in *minecraft folder*\mods\. (Tip: If on Windows, on the main screen of Minecraft, go to 'Texture Packs' and click on 'Open texture pack folder'. Go up one folder, there's your Minecraft folder. If on Mac, open Finder, hit Command+Shift+G and type ~/Library/ then hit enter, open 'Application Support' then open 'minecraft')

== Step 1: Crafting the console ==
The recipe is simple:<br />
{{Crafting grid
|A1=stone |B1=stone      |C1=stone
|A2=stone |B2=redstone   |C2=stone
|A3=stone |B3=glass pane |C3=stone
|Output=console
}}
<br />

Right click on the console to use it.<br />
These are important to remember:
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
!style="background:#EEE" width="200px"|Shortcut
!style="background:#EEE" width="*"|Usage
|-
|CTRL + T
|Closes the current program.
|-
|CTRL + R
|Reboots the console.
|-
|CTRL + S
|Forcefully shuts down the computer.
|}
NOTE: You have to hold the keyboard shortcuts down for at least 1 second!<br />
These are forced and will close the current program, even if it is still running.

== Step 2: Wiring it all up ==
The console accepts many forms of redstone. For simple structures, such as a password protected door, only a single line of redstone is needed.
However, this mod can do much more. If you need to connect multiple wires to one side, you can just use RedPower's cables. Easy peasy.
Or, you don't do anything in this part. The computer has some great games shipped with and it is even capable of loading web pages.

== Step 3: Programming your system ==
If you've programmed before this shouldn't be hard. It'll feel very comfortable.

Type
 edit <filename>
in the terminal to open the included feature-rich <!-- Save and exit!!! --> text editor. To get the hang of Lua if you're new, use
 edit /rom/programs/hello
to view the code of a simple program 'hello'.

Navigating is easy.
 > ls
 rom
 > cd rom
 rom> ls
 apis   help   programs
 startup
 rom> cd programs
 rom/programs> cd /
 >
To say it in English: ls '''l'''i'''s'''ts the files and folders in a directory, while cd changes the '''c'''urrent '''d'''irectory. / is the root of the computer.
Again, you don't have to program, but it's a big part of the mod. But you can still play those games.

== Step 4: Test it ==
Make sure that your program is bug-proof before using it as something important. A system controlling the state of an IndustrialCraft² Mark-III Nuclear Reactor to prevent it from overheating shouldn't crash every now and then with "Too long without yielding".

== Step 5: Extend it ==
Give back your part to the community. Help others on the forums or improve the wiki. Or, make your own OS or shell to run on the computers and share it with everybody. You can even create your own peripheral blocks using the API to create even a bigger system. A mainframe, for example.