Starting off programming

ShadowDust99 · Nov 26, 2014

Hi there everyone,
I have just started programming plugins and need some help. Could someone please tell me how to make a basic plugin AND tell me what every line and every little command does so I can use them in future projects and learn how everything works? I have followed a few tutorials, but they are all different, and aren't very descriptive in saying what every little thing does, which I need to know because I will use it by my self eventually and make my very own plugins. Thanks!

timtower · Nov 26, 2014

ShadowDust99 Start with learning basic java. Then use the javadocs to get familiar around the methods. The wiki is also a helpful place for a first plugin.
http://jd.bukkit.org/rb/doxygen/
http://wiki.bukkit.org/Plugin_Tutorial

teej107 · Nov 26, 2014

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/

http://wiki.bukkit.org/Plugin_Tutorial

Read those links and the links in those links and you got your answer. Also read the JavaDocs

JordyPwner · Nov 26, 2014

ShadowDust99 said: ↑

Hi there everyone,
I have just started programming plugins and need some help. Could someone please tell me how to make a basic plugin AND tell me what every line and every little command does so I can use them in future projects and learn how everything works? I have followed a few tutorials, but they are all different, and aren't very descriptive in saying what every little thing does, which I need to know because I will use it by my self eventually and make my very own plugins. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The java book for dummies (i readed that to )

Dragonphase · Nov 26, 2014

ShadowDust99

This may be relevant to you:

Dragonphase said: ↑

Several reasons:

Almost every tutorial video for Bukkit plugin creation shows use of bad programming practices, such as the incorrect use of statics, the incorrect use of Logger and minimal presentation of an object-oriented approach (by creating a 1-class plugin.)

A large majority of the videos are made by people with minimal knowledge of Java and/or the Bukkit API.

Very few of the videos encourage or require you to have knowledge of Java before proceeding to watch them. I point this out because the Plugin Tutorial Wiki Page (which should be the first place anyone looks when wanting to begin creating Bukkit plugins) advises you to have an understanding of Java before proceeding.

Almost everyone who watches tutorial videos made by these people end up copying their coding standards.

What you should really do before even considering to develop a Bukkit plugin is:

Pick up a Java book. There is literally nowhere on Earth you won't find one (well, there is, but you get the idea.) Read through it and learn about Java.

While you're at it, learn about the principles of Object Oriented Programming. Chances are you'll learn about this in a Java book, but if not, do some browsing.

Make some simple programs. One of the best ways to learn is to start coding something. Assuming you understand Java and the principles of OOP, create a Hello World program, then a calculator, then a text editor, and so on. Don't just copy a full program's code from the internet, you will not learn anything.

Make some mistakes and learn from them. Making mistakes is the best thing you can do in programming, because it encourages you to think about what went wrong and understand how to fix it. If you can't find out what's wrong with your program, seek help online, chances are StackOverflow has the answer.

Learn to read Stack traces. You will encounter bugs in your programs. The stack traces will help you trace where the bugs occurred and provide you with information as to what went wrong. If you understand the error, fix it. If you don't, seek help online.

Do some rubber duck debugging. This might sound silly, but it's really useful in helping you understand your program by speaking out loud the steps that your program takes or should take in order to work properly.

Don't worry if you think your program isn't as efficient as it could be. You should focus on making it work before making it work efficiently. After a while, you'll adapt to a more efficient way of development and it'll be more of a second nature to use the more suitable programming practices.

This post isn't intended to make you feel inferior in any way. I'm just offering you some solid advice if you want to make Bukkit plugins. Nobody in this forum will write your plugin for you, but we will help in whatever seems to be the most suitable way, so there's my two cents.
Click to expand...

EDIT

A final note: familiarize yourself with what you want your plugin to do. If you have an idea of what your plugin should do, check first to see if it's already been done previously. If it has, is there any point to developing your plugin? Is the existing plugin out of date? Does the existing plugin use extremely inefficient programming practices? Does your plugin offer any improvements over the existing plugin? If so, try and work from existing source material and create user stories to help you decide what your plugin will do.

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Starting off programming

ShadowDust99

timtower Administrator Administrator Moderator

teej107

JordyPwner

Dragonphase

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Starting off programming

ShadowDust99

timtower Administrator Administrator Moderator

teej107

JordyPwner

Dragonphase

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