Editing Minecraft modding (section)

==Feasibility==
''Minecraft'' is a video game particularly known for its adaptability for modifications.<ref name="PCMagHowto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422414,00.asp |title=How to Mod Minecraft |last=Eddy |first=Max |date=30 July 2013 |website=PC Magazine |publisher=ZiffDavis |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223556/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422414,00.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the course of many years, various independent programmers have taken advantage of that in order to either create additional content for the game or modify existing content for the game. These modifications are more commonly known as "mods".<ref name="PCMagHowto" /><ref name="MercuryNews">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |title=Parents' guide to 'Minecraft,' advanced level: Mods and servers will require your help |last=Avalos |first=George |date=30 January 2015 |website=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=Digital First Media |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309212050/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' (available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]]) can be modded via the [[Client–server model|client]] or [[Server (computing)|server]].<ref name="PCWorldInstalling">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/244306/how_to_install_minecraft_mods.html |title=How to Install Minecraft Mods |last=Ralph |first=Nate |date=18 November 2011 |website=PCWorld |publisher=IDG |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=21 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321190538/http://www.pcworld.com/article/244306/how_to_install_minecraft_mods.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Client-side mods require the player to add files to their game folder and use a mod launcher/loader such as Forge.<ref name="ChipMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chip.de/bildergalerie/Die-besten-Mods-fuer-Minecraft-Galerie_61241637.html |title=Die besten Mods für Minecraft |date=2 April 2013 |website=CHIP |publisher=CHIP Communications |language=de |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315062208/http://www.chip.de/bildergalerie/Die-besten-Mods-fuer-Minecraft-Galerie_61241637.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="EngadgetHowTo">{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/the-ultimate-mac-users-guide-to-minecraft-on-os-x-mods-skins/ |title=The ultimate Mac user's guide to Minecraft on OS X – mods, skins, and more |last=Wehner |first=Mike |date=25 March 2014 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194112/https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/the-ultimate-mac-users-guide-to-minecraft-on-os-x-mods-skins/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Server modding leaves the player's game folder untouched and only changes the behavior of the server, to which the player can log on in order to play a slightly varied game.<ref name="PCWorldInstalling" /> Client mods can change the behavior and appearance of any aspect of the game, and commonly add new blocks, items, mobs, vehicles, and even dimensions. Server mods (commonly referred to as plugins) can add minigames, anti-cheat, or login systems.    

Client mods can result in loss of performance (due to generally heavy resource demands) on older or weaker computers,<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/dec/31/minecraft-best-laptop |title=What's the best laptop for running Minecraft? |last=Schofield |first=Jack |date=31 December 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194123/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/dec/31/minecraft-best-laptop |url-status=live }}</ref> especially if the player combines many mods together into a "modpack". Modifications to the ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' are possible because, for each new version of the game, the community [[Reverse engineering|reverse-engineers]] ''Minecraft''{{'s}} source code, which is written in [[Java (programming language)|Java]], to make these modifications.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Koene |first=Jimmy |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/929952688 |title=Sams teach yourself mod development for Minecraft in 24 hours |date=2016 |isbn=978-0-13-438978-3 |location=Indianapolis, Indiana |oclc=929952688}}</ref> Mojang and Microsoft provide no modding API for the Java edition, although Mojang does provide methods for deobfuscating the game.

Modding for the mobile and console versions of ''Minecraft'' on the [[Minecraft#Pocket/Bedrock Edition|Bedrock codebase]] is different as those versions are written in C++ rather than Java.<ref name="ViceModding">{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=6 July 2015 |title='Why Gamers Are Worried About 'Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition' |url=http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-gamers-are-worried-about-minecraft-windows-10-edition |access-date=18 February 2016 |website=VICE |publisher=Motherboard |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309174336/http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-gamers-are-worried-about-minecraft-windows-10-edition |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftDifferences">{{Cite web |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/differencesbetweenbedrockandjava |title=Differences Between Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and Minecraft: Java Edition |date=15 October 2021 |website=Microsoft |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225325/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/differencesbetweenbedrockandjava |url-status=live }}</ref> Players who wish to mod their game on Bedrock codebase versions have a simpler process due to the version's built-in official support for "add-ons", which can be installed faster and easier than ''Java Edition'' mods and do not require external mod loaders. However, addons in [[Bedrock Edition]] have less flexibility and features because they can only modify features that Mojang explicitly allows and exposes.