[List] Terms and Definitions Related to Private Servers {MaNGOS and Ascent derivates}

Terms and Definitions Related to Private Servers

This would have helped me a whole lot when I first started servers, so I decided to help you newcomers out

What is a private server?

PRIVATE SERVER: A private server is a server owned by a person that is not part of blizzard. Although the discussion has happened many times whether or not private servers are illegal, let just say as long as don't have a huge giant server and making tons of money off of it blizzard won't notice you.



CORE TERMS

CORE: The core is needed to run a private server. The core is already included into a repack and when you are Compiling a server from scratch you are compiling the core of the server.

COMPILED SERVER: A compiled server is one that is made from what you would say scratch. You can do more with a compiled server such as updating the core when newer revisions are released and many more thing. Often times you will get less errors and can do more things when you compile it. You need to get a database that is set up correctly to the core you are using.

ANTRIX: Antrix is what Ascent used to be called.

ASCENT: Ascent is the older core in which private servers used to be. Ascent closed months ago and any core that is labeled ascent is a old version and will not likely work with the newest patches. It is also a old and still commonly used term labeled a server or core, for example: "When you compile Ascent." Instead of them actually saying "When you compile Arcemu."

ARCEMU: Formerly known as ascent. In my opinion currently the best private server core out there. Most repacks are based off a certain revision of arcemu. If you are going to compile a server then you will likely be compiling off of arcemu. Still commonly referred to as ascent.

MaNGOS: Mangos is a different private server core. Currently Mangos does support WoTLK in case you where wondering. MaNGOS is completely different from ArcEmu one example is that the database used for MaNGOS is different and GM commands are different.

CORE FILE TERMS

DBC FILES: DBC files are needed to properly run a server. They contains things such as: Animations, NPC models and all that good stuff. It is possible to edit these files but don't do so unless you know what your doing. DBC files are included in repacks.

MAPS: The Maps are need to run a server, they are basically the ground you walk on. Maps are included in repacks.

SCRIPTS: Scripts are usually custom made either in C++ or LUA Language. They basically tell the server what events to happen. Like for a NPC to do a certain function.

LUA: A type of language used to make scripts. Most commonly learned because it is easier then C++. LUA is more used for simple NPC/BOSS scripts.

C++: A very hard scripting language to learn. With C++ you can do more detailed and events. Also useful for more complicated things such as Item Teleporters and NPC Teleporters.

PATCH: Patches are updates for World of Warcraft, they will be located in your WoW installation folder.
Some are small some are big, make sure that the server you play on or own supports the current WoW patch or it will not work. Also, you can create custom patches for model edits and such, but they will only be viewable for the people with that custom path.

CONFIG: There are many config files for different things. The most commonly referred to ones are the ones located in your server folder labeled world and logonserver (for Ascent derivates users). You need to edit these to make a server whether from repack or from compiling.


REPACK TERMS

REPACK: A repack is a already packed up server that is usually ready to run with several simple changes. Repacks are commonly used by newcomers because they are easy to set up. Repacks will also include a database, website, and even GM tools. Also a repack is usually a certain revision of the core and database.

SERVER TYPES

FUNSERVER: Most commonly seen server, funservers mainly include things such as: A Instant level, Vendors in which you can get gear from, constant pvp.

HIGHRATE: A Highrate server is much like a blizzlike server but you gain or accomplish stuff at a faster rate. They will sometimes also include aspects of a funserver

BLIZZLIKE SERVER: A server that is best like blizzard/retail servers.


DATABASE TERMS

DATABASE: That database is what you use to store all the information of your server on. It contains things such as: Character gear, NPC information, item drops/loot. There are many databases out there its up to you to find that best one that suits your server.

MYSQL: Mysql is a program that allows you to connect to your database and also others to your when your server is public. A tool called MYSQL.bat is usually in a repack which you must run for your server to connect to your database. When you compile a server you need to install the full program so that why you don't have to constantly run MYSQL.bat

DATABASE EDITOR: A database editor is a program which you can use to edit the information of your server.

SQL FILE: A sql file is basically a query or several large querys all together.

CHANGESET: A changeset is a numbered individual SQL that is added into your database folder when you SVN update it.

QUERY: A query is a change that can be made in your database if you run it. Like to add NPCs or items or even a fix.

MILESTONE: A milestone is a large sql that contains a certain amount Changesets put together. For example Milestone 1 contains changesets 1-50 while Milestone 2 contains changesets 51-100.


PUBLIC SERVER TERMS

PUBLIC: When you make a private server it is not public meaning that no one from across the internet can connect to your server unless you take the steps to make your server public.

HOST: Someone who hosts the server is who people will connect to. Most people do not host there own servers because they need to have a good computer and internet connection but if that is not a problem then you can host it.

HAMACHI: Hamachi is the old and simple way to make a server public. There are still hamachi servers around but they don't usually get very many people or are used for people just hanging with some friends.

INTERNAL IP: Internal IP is the ip of your computer, usually involved in making your server public. This can be found by going into Start>Run>Type CMD> Type ipconfig or ipconfig/all.

EXTERNAL IP: External IP is the IP people use to connect to you or to someone elses server.


SVN TERMS

SVN: A SVN is a program where people can keep things such as database and core updated. A svn is accessed through a client such as tortuse svn.

REVISION/REV: A revision is a change or update added when you update. Basically if you are on core revision 135 and someone added a update to the svn you can your revision to core rev136.

BRANCH: The branch is the the section of a SVN which contains stable revisions.

TRUNK: The trunk are revisions that is either untested or not guaranteed to work. That does not mean that is bad as many people still use the trunk revisions.

CHANGELOG: A changelog is basically a log that keeps tract of all revisions. Like what each revision does or changes or who made the change, etc...

OTHER Commonly used terms:

BUG: A term used for a error or issue. In game it can also be refered to as a glitch.

DEV/DEVELOPER: A person who creates/edits the core. Also can be used for someone who creates/edits a private server.

REALMLIST: Is a file located in your WoW installation folder. You need to change this to connect to someone else's private server.

NPC/MOB: Slang used for creatures. N.P.C. stands for non playable character.

.GO/.GOs: GOs stand for game object. A game object for example is something like a chair.

GM: A game master is someone who moderates the server,

MOD: Usually used for a person who Moderates a forum.

LOOT: Items, gold, or weapons that drop from creatures.

BOSS: A named NPC that usually the last NPC in an instance that is the hardest to kill.

RETAIL: Retail means the blizzard owned server which you have to pay to play on.