Computercraft

Mod name: computercraft
Mod Author: Dan200
Mod forum page: Computercraft
Highest MC version: 1.7
Mod type: tech

Computercraft, is a highly acclaimed mod within minecraft modding scene, but what exactly is the reason for its name?
Well computercraft is one of those mods that schools love. Now you're probably saying "wait what? why would schools love this?"
The answer to that is quite simple, schools look for new and interesting ways to encourage their pupils to learn. Minecraft has shown much possiblities for learning even with vanilla meaning schools can stick a class for this and have some teaching. The reason computercraft comes into this is to do with the advancing age of computers we live in.
Remember back when computers were typing a word doccument or something similar, back in the arlier days (i'm sounding like an old man, back in my day). However now the idea has changed to a more practical approach and school teachers are looking for ways to teach this while pretending to know what they're doing themselves. Computercraft is a perfect way for this to happen as it means they are able to help with early and basic programming (which for some reason is in some schools, I'm in university and only just started learning programming).

Ok so I think i've waffled enough about how schools love computercraft and what gives it its name, but now let's look at the mod itself.

Computercraft is one of those mods that doesn't stick with the basic ore doubling,power generation type mod structure. Instead it takes tech mods down a whole new path.Computers that can help to do many thigns within a compact space using variables using the programming language LUA. Through this complex systems can be made through a basic computer program. As said above this is why it's popular as it helps people take their first steps into computer programming.

Turtles are another fun things added to computercraft

No not that type of turtle but a computer turtle.
Turtles are interesting items in that they don't do 1 specific thing, they can instead be programmed to do a wide range of things.
For example a turtle could be programmed to mine down then once its inventory is fulll to empty it into an ender chest then keep mining. This is just a very basic idea of what turtles are capable of.
With the 1.7 version of comptuercraft it is also easier to use turtles for a wide variety of purposes as with it turtles can have their items swapped rather than being stuck with a single item allowing them to deal with any situation.

So what else is there really to say about computercraft? I've mentioned about their base computers, their turtles and why it has found its way to be one of the top mods within the minecraft modding scene. But maybe you're asking yourself "what if I have no interest in programming a turtle surely this mod is pointless for me then".
Well to answer that in an initial look you would be right to think that, but there are built in programs which have already been made which can be used without you needing to program it. For example by default turtles come with a tunnel command which will dig a 2x2 (need to double check numbers) tunnel as far as you tell it to.
Also within the world there are compter programs hidden within chests which can be used for various uses. Or an alternative is to try and find someone who does understand lua and have them make you stuff (admit it we've all done it at some point for at least 1 mod), or just giving it a go, you'll be surprised what you can do through a quick google search, i'll even get you started
turtles base commands
programming can be fun and rewarding or even just make something crazy for fun, it's such wide possibilities.


rating

easy to learn
3/5
(this is factoring in non programmers) it can be hard to understand for someone who just jumps in but once you understand the concepts which can be easily self taught through google it's rather simple

how fun is it
4/5
 with all the wacky and crazy contraptions you can make what isn't fun about it?

balance
5/5
as this mod doesn't add anything that can substantially alter the gameplay mechanics it is is to keep balanced. As for turtles they cost the turtle,the tool for it and the effort to program so keeping balance

overall
4/5
a very fun mod with lots to do even if you aren't a programmmer. As with helping people to code is also bonus points in my book so dan keep it up

to put it in a way the mod would understad
print("awesome mod")
sleep(5)
print("keep up the work dan")