Glossary
Scripting
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PAWN | The scripting language used to make SA:MP and open.mp scripts |
| Script | The code that tells the server what to do |
| Scripter | A person who writes scripts |
| Gamemode | The main script that runs on a server, often shortened to GM |
| Filterscript | Scripts that run alongside gamemodes, often shortened to FS |
| Plugin | Extra functions/capabilities added through a .dll (Windows) or .so (Linux) file |
| Component | The open.mp equivalent of a plugin, loaded from the components folder |
| Streamer | A plugin or script that allows you to go past some of the server's limits by dynamically loading and unloading entities |
| Include | Pieces of script placed in .inc files to be included in Filterscripts/Gamemodes using #include <name> |
| Function | A named section of a script that performs a specific task |
| Native | A function provided by the server or a plugin that can be called from PAWN |
| Callback | A function automatically called by the server when a specific event occurs (e.g. OnPlayerConnect) |
| AMX | The compiled file (.amx) produced from a .pwn source file, which the server actually runs |
| Tick | One millisecond of server time, as counted by GetTickCount |
| INI | A file format (.ini) often used by scripts to store data, most commonly user/player data |
Tools
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pawno | The original SA:MP script editor for PAWN, Windows only and unmaintained |
| Qawno | The script editor that ships with open.mp, and the replacement for Pawno |
| Pawncc | The compiler that compiles .pwn to .amx |
| MySQL | Database software often used together with SA:MP and open.mp servers |
Networking
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Client | The game application used by players to connect to a multiplayer server |
| Server | The application that hosts a multiplayer game and manages connected clients |
| Masterlist | The public list of running servers, which servers announce themselves to and clients read to fill the server browser |
| Sync | The process of keeping the game state consistent between the server and connected clients |
| Desync | A situation where the game state differs between the server and one or more clients |
| Ping | The round-trip time for data to travel between a client and the server, measured in milliseconds |
| Lag | Either FPS lag, when a player's framerate drops, or network lag, when other players are seen with a delay because their sync takes time to travel over the internet |
Entities
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NPC | A non-player character that connects to the server like a player and is driven by a script, and uses a player slot. Sometimes referred to as a bot |
| Actor | A static non-player character used for decoration or interaction, such as a cashier, that uses no player slot |
| Pickup | An object that can be picked up by walking into it, see CreatePickup |
| Textdraw | Text drawn on a player's screen, often shortened to TD, see TextDrawCreate |
| Dialog | A dialog box shown to a player, see ShowPlayerDialog |
| Map | A set of objects placed together in the game world |
Common gamemode types
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Deathmatch | A gamemode type where players try to kill each other to win |
| Roleplay | A gamemode type where players act like in real life and are expected to stay in character |
| Reallife | A gamemode type which is based on real life but players do not need to act like in real life |
| Cops and Robbers | A gamemode type where criminals commit crimes while police attempt to stop and arrest them |
| Derby / Sumo | A gamemode type where players try to knock opponents out of an arena with vehicles |
| Survival | A gamemode type where players must survive against environmental hazards, such as zombies or other players |
| Freeroam | A gamemode type with no set objective, where players are free to explore, stunt and fight as they please |