Eggdrop
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Infobox software
Eggdrop is a popular IRC bot and the oldest that is still being maintained.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="book: irc hacks">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="book: extrusion detection">Template:Cite book</ref>
It was originally written by Robey Pointer in December 1993 to help manage and protect the EFnet channel #gayteen; one Eggdrop bot version was named Valis.<ref name="Leonard">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Wired96">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="about">Template:Cite web</ref>
Eggdrop was originally intended to help manage and protect channels from takeover attempts.<ref name="book: extrusion detection" /><ref name="Lewis">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="SecIM">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="book: avatars">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Clemm">Template:Cite book</ref>
Features
The bot is written in the C programming language and features interfaces for C modules and Tcl scripts that allow users to further enhance the functionality of the bot.<ref name="book: irc hacks" /><ref name="about" /><ref name="readme">Template:Cite web</ref>
A large number of Tcl scripts are available to expand the bot's functionality, most of them written by Eggdrop users.<ref name="book: irc hacks" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Scripts are available to add and extend support for: online games, stats, user and channel management, information storage and lookup, greeting channel members, tracking last seen times, botnet management, anti-spam, file serving and distribution (usually via the DCC protocol), IRC services (similar to ChanServ and NickServ), and much more.Template:Citation needed
Eggdrop includes built-in support for sharing user information and channel bans. However, a script is required to simultaneously control multiple bots and for bots to coordinate channel management and modes.Template:Citation needed
The bot also features a "botnet", which allows multiple bots to be linked together to share data and act in a coordinated fashion.<ref name="about" /><ref name="book: avatars" /><ref name="readme" /><ref name="botnet">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Piccard, et al., p. 390</ref> The botnet supports a "party line", which is accessible via DCC CHAT and Telnet. People can communicate within the botnet on various channels in an equivalent to a miniature IRC. Channel 0, the default, is referred to as the "party line".<ref name="book: avatars" /><ref name="partyline">Template:Cite web</ref>
Popularity
Over the years Eggdrop has become one of the most popular bots run by IRC users.<ref name="book: avatars" /><ref name="Orwant">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Casey">Template:Cite book</ref>
See also
- Internet Relay Chat
- Internet Relay Chat bot
- Comparison of Internet Relay Chat bots
- Shell account
- Tcl