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Basic Concepts

This page defines the fundamental data types used throughout all Origins JSON files. Understanding these types is essential for working with powers, actions, conditions, and other JSON formats.

Identifier​

An Identifier (also known as a "Resource Location") is a string in the format namespace:path that uniquely identifies a game object.

  • Format: namespace:path
  • Example: minecraft:diamond, origins:fire_immunity
  • Default namespace: If no namespace is specified (e.g., diamond), Minecraft defaults to minecraft:.

Identifiers are used for:

  • Items (minecraft:diamond_sword)
  • Blocks (minecraft:stone)
  • Entities (minecraft:creeper)
  • Powers (origins:arcane_skin)
  • Origins (origins:avian)
  • Status effects (minecraft:speed)
  • Enchantments (minecraft:sharpness)
  • Biomes (minecraft:desert)
  • Dimensions (minecraft:the_nether)
  • And many more...

String​

A String is a sequence of text characters.

  • Example: "Hello World", "key.origins.primary_active"
  • Used for: Names, messages, key binding IDs, operation names, command text.

In JSON, strings are always enclosed in double quotes "...".

Integer​

An Integer is a whole number (positive, negative, or zero).

  • Example: 0, 42, -5
  • Used for: Slot indices, bar indices, priority values, whole-number counts.

Integers cannot have decimal places.

Float​

A Float is a decimal number.

  • Example: 1.0, 0.5, -2.75
  • Used for: Modifier values, coordinates, color channels, velocities, probabilities.

Floats can be written with or without a decimal point (e.g., 1 and 1.0 are both valid floats).

Double​

A Double is a double-precision floating-point number (similar to Float but with higher precision).

  • Example: 1.0, 0.5
  • Used for: Position coordinates, velocity vectors where high precision is needed.

In most Origins JSON contexts, Float and Double are interchangeable.

Boolean​

A Boolean is a true/false value.

  • Example: true, false
  • Used for: Toggles (invert, hidden, negative, continuous), conditions.

List​

A List is an ordered collection of values enclosed in square brackets [...].

  • Example: 
    ["minecraft:sharpness", "minecraft:protection"]
  • Used for: Collections of identifiers, collections of modifiers, collections of actions.

Lists preserve order.

ValueOrList​

Many fields accept either a single value or a list of values. This is noted in the field's type as Value or List.

  • Single value example: 
    "modifier": {
        "operation": "add_base_early",
        "value": 0.5
    }
  • List example: 
    "modifier": [
        {
            "operation": "add_base_early",
            "value": 0.5
        },
        {
            "operation": "multiply_total_multiplicative",
            "value": 1.5
        }
    ]

When only one value is needed, you can use the shorthand single-object syntax. When multiple values are needed, use the list syntax.

ReferenceOrTagList​

A ReferenceOrTagList is always a List where each element can be either a plain Identifier or a Tag (prefixed with #). Unlike ValueOrList, this type always uses the list syntax — there is no shorthand for a single entry.

"block": ["minecraft:stone", "#minecraft:logs", "minecraft:dirt"]

Tags are identifiers prefixed with # that reference a group of entries defined in a data pack tag file.

JSON Object​

A JSON Object (also called a "Map") is a collection of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces {...}.

  • Example: 
    {
        "modifier": {
            "operation": "add_base_early",
            "value": 1.0
        }
    }
  • Used for: Almost every complex structure in Origins JSON files.

Each key is a string, and each value can be any valid JSON type (string, number, boolean, list, object, or null).

Last updated on by IAFEnvoy