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 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 CoreMod is a Forge mod that loads before Mojang classes are loaded, allowing it to modify native Minecraft code via Access Transformers, ASM class modification, or other Java bytecode manipulation.

Crowdin

A web-based translation system for documentation. SpongeDocs uses it to provide translated Docs in many languages. https://crowdin.com/project/sponge-docs

Developer

Someone who programs code (Sponge, Plugins, Mods, …).

Discord

Discord is a free voice, video and text chat app, and is used as a chat platform. Like IRC, Provides chat rooms for all things Sponge. Sponge’s Discord server is synced with Sponge’s IRC server.

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. https://mcforge.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

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 SpongeAPI in Minecraft.

IRC

Internet Relay Chat, used as a chat platform. Provides chat rooms for all things Sponge. Sponge’s IRC server is synced with Sponge’s Discord server.

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. https://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, e.g. a Villager.

Ore

The Official Sponge plugin hosting site. https://ore.spongepowered.org/

Patreon

A Service that allows for donations to projects and organisations. 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 SpongeAPI, usable only on Sponge servers.

Project Leaders

The folks in charge of the entire Sponge Project, responsible for coordinating 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.

SpongeAuth

The authentication panel and SSO solution for all of the Sponge websites. https://auth.spongepowered.org/

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.

SpongeVanilla

An implementation of SpongeAPI 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 direct the Teams (WebDev, Docs, SysOps, subreddit, IRC).