Item

Types

 * Raw materials are components that are used with or to construct other items.
 * Some materials are only dropped by mobs, making vanquishing them a necessity.
 * Others are derived from crafting, mining, and smelting, or a combination of the processes.


 * Food is found or crafted by the player and eaten to regain hunger points.


 * Potions are craftable food items that confer specific effects in Minecraft.


 * Plants are items found growing in the environment (excluding Melon Seeds) that can be collected and planted on blocks that meet the conditions for growth particular to the plant.


 * Tools are primarily used to break blocks faster than mining by hand, and are required in order to retrieve resources from some blocks.
 * Buckets can transport liquids such as milk, lava, and water.
 * Fishing rods allow the player to go fishing as well as pull mobs closer.
 * Flint and steel is used to set flammable blocks on fire (for varying periods of time), and is required in order to create a portal to the Nether.
 * Saddles can be used to ride pigs.
 * Shears are used to collect wool from sheep, string from cobwebs, tall grass, leaves, and vines.


 * Informative items, including the map, compass and clock, assist the player in the navigation of the landscape and the telling of time.


 * Weapons are used to defend the player from hostile mobs roaming a map or to kill passive mobs for food and materials.


 * Armor protects the player from several kinds of damage (mobs/players, lava, explosions, being in a fire block). A full set of armor is composed of a helmet, chestplate, leggings, and boots.


 * Vehicles, such as minecarts and boats, allow the player or items to travel over land or water with relative speed and ease.


 * Decorations are items that only have aesthetic uses.

History
As of Beta 1.8.1, paintings, Music Discs and Wool Dyes are the only decoration "items" available.