Operator

An Operator, or op, 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 operator by using the /op command, or by editing "ops.txt" text file in the server, then restarting the server. Operators 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.

Operators 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 operators
Operators 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 operators the right to use certain commands.

Operator Commands
Generally, operator status is only given to those who the admin trusts, as their powers and abilities can cause havoc on a server if operators decide to start griefing. So, admins can choose what powers to give their operators. The main operator 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 operator.
 * Item Spawning: Operators 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: Operators can also teleport players around the map. The command used for this is /tp


 * Giving operator status to other Players: The admin can choose whether to give his operators the power to make more operators, or to keep that power to himself. Using /op or /deop, an operator can add operator status to someone, or remove it. /op playerX would add operator status to playerX.

/time set [time] (0000-24000) for example, /time set 200, would set the time.
 * Time setting: Operator can change the time of the server. This is done by typing in: