Operator

An Op, or operator, is a player designated to moderate a multiplayer server by the admin. This is done to help keep control of the server from unruly players and griefers, and even a reward to trusted players. People are made op by using the /op command, or by editing "ops.txt" text file in the server, then restarting the server. Ops have access to a variety of server commands which aid them in their policing duty. These are activated by typing them into the chat with appropriate arguments.

Ops also are granted the privilege of destroying and placing blocks. Although the admin can also decide to let all players destroy and place blocks.

Problems with untrustworthy Ops
Ops have access to all commands, meaning they can stop the server, control any plug-ins, such as spawning large amounts of mobs or removing entire chunks (when using server software that supports plug-ins) and kick/ban the admin, grief and kick/ban players.

This can be avoided in Modded servers with any permissions plug-in. This disallows some Ops the right to use certain commands.

Op Commands
Generally, op status is only given to those who the admin trusts, as their powers and abilities can cause havoc on a server if ops decide to start griefing. So, admins can choose what powers to give their ops. The main Ops powers are:

for example, /give Notch 5 64, would give Notch a stack of 64 Wooden Planks. it is useful to learn the data values if you are an op.
 * Item Spawning: Ops can almost always spawn items on servers. This is done by typing in : /give

for example, /tp playerX playerY would teleport playerX to playerY.
 * Teleportation: Ops can also teleport players around the map. The commands is /tp


 * Opping other Players: The admin can choose whther to give his ops the power to make more ops, or to keep that power to himself. Using /op or /deop, a Op can add Op status to someone, or remove it. /op playerX would add operator status to playerX.