computer science

MUD terminology

MUD terminology is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MUD terminology rather than just read about it. In short: This is a glossary of terms common in multi-user dungeon (MUD) multiplayer virtual worlds. A–Z bot Character controlled by a computer program consider con A command to assess an enemy's relative power dino A long-standing MUD player equip A player's active items exits Options for leaving an area furry Anthropomorphic animal god admin arch imp implementer The MUD's administrator or owner; see wizard for similar uses…

Key takeaways

MUD terminology belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MUD terminology to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MUD terminology from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

This is a glossary of terms common in multi-user dungeon (MUD) multiplayer virtual worlds.

A–Z

bot Character controlled by a computer program

consider con A command to assess an enemy's relative power

dino A long-standing MUD player

equip A player's active items

exits Options for leaving an area

furry Anthropomorphic animal

god admin arch imp implementer The MUD's administrator or owner; see wizard for similar uses

guess-the-verb Situation in which the player intends to perform an action but does not know the proper syntax to communicate it to the game

IC Behavior "in-character" for the player's assumed role, as opposed to breaking character (OOC/"out-of-character")

haven A designated place where players cannot be killed

hit points Numeric representation of a character's life, i.e., when health is depleted, the character dies

immort See wizard inv The player's carried possessions, or inventory

log A record of activity in the MUD instance

mana Numeric representation of a character's magic energy

maving To interact incorrectly, such as using incorrect commands

mob mobile An enemy monster

movement Numeric representation of how far a character can move at once

mudflation An online game virtual economy phenomenon in which endgame players become rich in currency and drive down the cost of rare items.

multi-boxing dual-boxing To play multiple characters simultaneously

newbie A new or inexperienced player

OOC To break character or act "out of character" from the player's assumed role

PK player killer To kill another player or be known as someone who has; also used as a verb (PKing or "player killing")

remort To undo one's immortal status

rent Virtual currency paid to preserve the player's inventory in-between play sessions in a persistent world

spamming To post excessive text, scrolling the screen

stats score The player's numerical statistics, such as hit points and experience progression

tinysex Cybersex through MUD commands or text

wiz To be promoted to wizard status after completing the game

wizard immort immortals Players with special rights, such as rights to create new MUD content; usually either MUD administrators, players who completed the game, or players appointed by an administrator to assist in its operation

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MUD terminology

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MUD terminology claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MUD terminology before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MUD terminology ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MUD terminology

In research: MUD terminology appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MUD terminology in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MUD terminology is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Computing terminology, Glossaries of computers, MUD terminology, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MUD terminology outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study MUD terminology in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MUD terminology means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MUD terminology out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MUD terminology in simple terms?

This is a glossary of terms common in multi-user dungeon (MUD) multiplayer virtual worlds. A–Z bot Character controlled by a computer program consider con A command to assess an enemy's relative power dino A long-standing MUD player equip A player's active items exits Options for leaving an area fu…

Why does MUD terminology matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MUD terminology?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MUD terminology.