What is an lpc?

LPC, or Lars Pensjö C++, is a programming language specifically designed for creating virtual worlds, particularly Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs). It's a derivative of C with added features tailored for this domain.

Key aspects of LPC include:

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Object-Oriented%20Programming" >Object-Oriented Programming</a> is central to LPC. The game world is built from objects, each with its own state (variables) and behavior (functions, called efuns and simuls in the context of some LPC implementations).
• Inheritance: LPC supports inheritance, allowing you to create new object types that inherit properties and behaviors from existing ones, promoting code reuse and a hierarchical structure.
• Data Types: It features standard data types like integers, strings, and arrays, alongside more specialized data structures relevant to MUD development, such as mappings (associative arrays) and mixed arrays.
• Efun and Simul Efun: An <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Efun">Efun</a> (external function) is a function provided by the MUD server itself, offering functionalities such as manipulating objects, interacting with the environment, and managing player connections. <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Simul%20Efun">Simul Efun</a>, simulated efuns are functions written in LPC that act as built-in functions available to all LPC objects.
• Security: LPC implementations often incorporate security mechanisms to prevent malicious code from compromising the MUD server or other players.
• Interpreted Language: LPC is typically interpreted, meaning the code is executed directly without needing a separate compilation step (although some implementations utilize a form of bytecode).
• Event-Driven Programming: MUDs are inherently event-driven. LPC facilitates this through mechanisms like call_out, which allows you to schedule functions to be executed at a later time, and message passing between objects.
• Driver: The <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Driver">driver</a> is the underlying software that interprets LPC code, manages objects, handles network connections, and provides efuns. Popular drivers include MudOS and DGD.
• Cloning: The clone_object function is essential. It creates a copy of an object, allowing for dynamic creation of items, monsters, and other entities within the game world. This mechanism is fundamental to managing game resources.