Sponge Glossary

This is a guide to the more common reserved words, phrases and abbreviations used in the Sponge Project. Links are provided in some cases to provide more information. It is not intended to be a guide to the SpongeAPI or Java.

Note

Terms are defined with reference to Minecraft and/or the Sponge Project as required.

Definitions

API
Application Programming Interface - a way of making modding easier.
Contributor
Someone who contributes code to the SpongePowered projects.
Coremod
A Forge mod that is loaded before any Mojang classes are loaded. The purpose of a CoreMod is to patch actual Minecraft code. http://www.minecraftforge.net/wiki/Core_Mod
Crowdin
A web-based translation system for documentation. SpongeDocs uses it to provide translated Docs in many languages. https://translate.spongepowered.org/project/sponge-docs
Developer
Someone who programs code (Sponge, Plugins, Mods, ...).
FLARD
It is green, edible, and explosive. Leave it alone and it will leave you alone.
Forge
A long-standing Minecraft modding API, with its own installer. Forge enables mods in single player, LAN, and on dedicated servers. http://www.minecraftforge.net/wiki/
GitHub
A free public web-based system for sharing code and creating projects. https://github.com/
Implementation
A mod or program that enables the use of the SpongeAPI in Minecraft.
IRC
Internet Relay Chat, used as a chat platform. Provides chat rooms for all things Sponge.
Issue
A way of flagging problems, bugs, improvements, and things-to-do on GitHub and elsewhere. The Sponge project uses GitHub as an Issue Tracker.
Java
The programming language that Minecraft and Sponge are written in, and require to run. http://java.com/en/
MCP
The Mod Coder Pack helps developers create mods for both the Minecraft server and client. http://www.modcoderpack.com/website
Mixins
Specialised program components that inject Sponge into Minecraft. https://github.com/SpongePowered/Mixin/wiki
Mod
A Minecraft modification that changes gameplay somehow. Mods written using the Forge API need Forge to work, but some mods can be installed on their own.
NPC
Non-Player Character. Any character not controlled by a player, eg. a Villager.
Ore
The Official Sponge plugin hosting site, not ready yet. Use the Sponge Forums instead.
Patreon
A Service that allows for donations to projects and organizations. If you want to support Sponge, this is the place to look at! Sponge Patreon Donation Page
Plugin
A Minecraft mod that extends and changes Minecraft via the SpongeAPI, usable only on Sponge servers.
Project Leaders
The folks in charge of the entire Sponge Project, responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the various Teams and sub-projects.
Pull Request (PR)
A method of submitting contributions to an open development project, such as the Sponge repositories on GitHub.
Sponge
The name of the entire project.
SpongeAPI
The Minecraft Plugin API developed by the Sponge project.
SpongeCommon
A repository of code common to the official SpongeAPI implementations, used in building them. SpongeVanilla and SpongeForge use this repository.
SpongeForge
The implementation of SpongeAPI as a Forge Coremod.
SpongeDocs
Dedicated and frequently updated documentation, the best source of information on Sponge.
Sponge Forums
Home to the Sponge Project and the second best source of information on Sponge. Update announcements are posted regularly. https://forums.spongepowered.org/
Sponge Foundation
The financial side of the project, a separate entity that accepts, manages and distributes donations. http://spongefoundation.org/
SpongeVanilla
An implementation of Sponge API that runs on Vanilla Minecraft (and not Forge).
Spongie
The Sponge Mascot, a valiant little Sponge with a red cape.
Spongy
The sponge GitHub Bot that makes PR previews for the Docs.
Team Leaders
The people who directs the Teams (WebDev, Docs, SysOps, subreddit, IRC).