<?xml version="1.0"?>
<api>
  <query>
    <pages>
      <page ns="0" title="API" missing="" />
      <page pageid="1" ns="0" title="Main Page">
        <revisions>
          <rev user="Ubit" timestamp="2024-04-25T20:19:35Z" comment="/* What is OpenSimulator? */" xml:space="preserve">__NOTOC__
{{MainPageQuicklinks}}
&lt;!--
Please use the Information Template to announce new things, the other languages are added as well
--&gt;
&lt;!--{{Information}}--&gt;
=== What is OpenSimulator? ===
{{FrontPageSidebar}}

OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. It also has an optional facility (the [[Hypergrid]]) to allow users to visit other OpenSimulator installations across the web from their 'home' OpenSimulator installation.  In this way, it is the basis of a nascent distributed Metaverse.

OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-334.htm C#], running both on Windows over the [http://www.microsoft.com/net/ .NET Framework],on Unix-like machines over the [http://www.mono-project.com/ Mono] framework and now on several plaforms on unified [https://dotnet.microsoft.com/ .NET]. The source code is released under a [[BSD License]], a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see [[History]].

Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to [http://www.secondlifegrid.net Second Life™], given that it supports the core of [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Protocol SL's messaging protocol]. However, OpenSimulator is not just a clone of the Second Life server platform. Rather, the project aims to enable innovative feature development for virtual environments and the Metaverse at large. So only a subset of viewers for Second Life  do implement Opensimulator features, see [[Compatible Viewers]].

OpenSimulator is getting more stable over time but is still a high complex software system that can suffer various bugs and quirks; handle with care!

=== Features ===

* Supports online, multi-user 3D environments as small as 1 simulator or as large as thousands of simulators.
* Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size.
* Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.
* Supports realtime Physics Simulation, with multiple engine options.
* Supports clients that create 3D content in real time. 
* Supports inworld scripting using LSL/OSSL.
* Provides unlimited ability to customize virtual world applications through the use of [[IRegionModule|scene plugin modules]].

For a more extensive list, see the [[Feature Matrix]].

=== Running an OpenSimulator-Based World ===

*[[Download|Downloading OpenSimulator]] 
*[[Dependencies|Required Dependencies]]
*[[Build Instructions|Building OpenSimulator]] 
*[[Configuration|Configuring and Running OpenSimulator]] 
*[[Server Commands]] 
*[[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions]]

=== Participating in the OpenSimulator Community ===
OpenSimulator is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source open source] project, and is powered by the community members that devote time and energy to the effort.  There are many ways to participate and contribute to the community:
* Participate via [[IRC]].  There are channels for users and developers.
* Participate via the [[Mailing Lists]].  There are mailing lists for OpenSimulator use and development, as well as broader topics such as education and the Hypergrid.
* [[WikiStructure|Contribute to this wiki]], making the OpenSimulator documentation even better.  Don't be afraid of making mistakes - they can be easily corrected.
* Report [[bugs]] or submit [[Submitting code to OpenSim|patches]] via our [http://opensimulator.org/mantis/ mantis bug tracker].  If you're submitting code, please read through the [[Contributions Policy]] before starting.
* Create an OpenSimulator related project hosted on the [http://forge.opensimulator.org Forge] or [[Related Software|elsewhere]] on the web.  In the forge there are over a dozen registered projects, and it's a great way to further extend the OpenSimulator community.
* Participate to open content creation for OpenSimulator. More details at [[Artist Home]].
* Participate in the weekly [[Office Hours]] for OpenSimulator development. 


{{Layout_box2|1=
=== Pages by Category: ===
'''[[:Category:Getting_Started | Getting Started]] , [[:Category:Support | Support]] , [[:Category:Tech Reference|Technical Reference Pages]] , [[:Category:Help|Help]] , [[:Category:Configuration|Configuration Pages]] , [[:Category:Users|User's Pages]] , [[:Category:Development | Development Pages]] , [[:Category:Scripts|Scripts]] , [[Special:Recentchanges| Recent Wiki Changes]]'''&lt;br /&gt;
}}
&lt;!--
&lt;cleanpage title=hide cats=hide /&gt;
[[Category:Getting Started]]
[[Category:Development]]
[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Help]]
[[Category:Configuration]]
--&gt;</rev>
        </revisions>
      </page>
    </pages>
  </query>
</api>