Difference between revisions of "Getting Started"

Revision as of 19:00, 30 November 2012

Prerequisite: Installing the mods

It is very important to read everything carefully before asking questions. Also, the latest version of this mod may not be compatible with the current Minecraft release.

1. Install Minecraft Forge Recommended Build
2. Download the latest version of ComputerCraft
3. Copy OR extract the .zip file into *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 your first console

The recipe is simple:

Right click on the console to use it.
Some important keys to remember:

NOTE: You have to hold the keyboard shortcuts down for at least 1 second!
These are forced (CTRL+T can be disabled by a program).

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 bundled cables, wich will let you connect 16 redstone wires to each side of the computer, or a total of 96 input/output lines when using all sides of the computer (As if you'd ever need all of them).

Step 3: Programming your system

If you've programmed anything before this shouldn't be hard. It'll feel very comfortable.

NOTE: You may also want to make a Floppy Disk or two to use along with your machine

Type edit <filename> in the terminal to open the included feature-rich 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 lists the files and folders in a directory, while cd changes the current directory. / is the root of the computer.

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.