Setup ComputerCraft & Forge
Before we can continue with more of the CLI in ComputerCraft we need to learn how to install mods. To be able to use mods we need to install a mod loader which in our case is Forge. But first back to ComputerCraft.
ComputerCraft is a modification for Minecraft that’s all about computer programming. It allows you to build in-game Computers and Turtles, and write programs for them using the Lua programming language. The addition of programming to Minecraft opens up a wide variety of new possibilities for automation and creativity. If you’ve never programmed before, it also serves as excellent way to learn a real world skill in a fun, familiar environment. (source: computercraft.info)
To keep it simple, ComputerCraft gives you the ability to have computer blocks and turtles. Turtles are smal robots that can do anything you want, build a house, dig a mine, plant a forrest and chop it down and start all over again. The computers are like real computers but the most important thing is that they provide a nice and playful way to learn to program in an videogame.
Let's start
Before we can play with all the fun stuff we have some to install a few things. So let's start with downloading everything you need to install. First of all we wil use the ComputerCraftEdu Mod, this mod is a modification of ComputerCraft that provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as well. So head to the ComputerCraftEdu site and download the 1.8.9 version.
Next we have to download the Forge version 1.8.9 installer. There wil be a pop-up or specific page where you have to watch an ad, keep in mind that the people who wrote the mod did this in their own time and this is a way to get something in return
Installing everything
Now that we have everything we need it's time to get started. Open Minecraft got to Launch Options and create a new profile. Name it ComputerCraft 1.8.9 and make sure to select the 1.8.9 version of Minecraft, save and start the game.
Minecraft wil download its 1.8.9 version install it and start it. When the game has started you should see 1.8.9 in the bottom left corner. Create a new world and start the game.
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Forge
Forge is a Mod loader, it detects if mods are provided and if so loads them into Minecraft before the game starts. Now run the downloaded Forge1.8.9 file and a popup will appear, select client and click OK.
Let Forge do it's thing and when it's done open your Minecraft again, you will see that the startup has changed. When Minecraft is started select you ComputerCraft profile and select the Forge1.8.9 version which is available now on the bottom of the list, select it and click OK. Quit the game and close it , we have to add the ComputerCraft mod first. Now go to your Minecraft installation folder and look for the mods folder if the folder does not exist create it, and add the ComputerCraftEdu file to the folder.
The last step is to add the ComputerCraft mod to the mods folder so Forge can load it. Go to your Minecraft game folder and search for the mods folder, if it doesn't exist create it and drop your ComputerCraft mod into the folder. Startup Minecraft select the ComputerCraft profile and start a game, now open your earlier created ComputerCraft world
Open your inventory and see that you have more tabs, the ComputerCraft tab will contain some turtles and a remote.
Yay it Works
To get started with ComputerCraft you can begin with this page: ComputerCraftEdu Wiki
