[1.12.2] Adding Recipes through JSON vs. Java Code

[Yoyoness_]

I'm brand new to modding, so I was recently creating my first custom recipes. I was using JSON files for shaped and shapeless crafting recipes, but I had to use the addSmelting method to make a smelting recipe. While making a smelting recipe, I found out about the methods for adding shaped and shapeless recipes.

So my question is, should I use JSON files or the methods to add recipes? I have no qualms with either, but I would like to know which option is better for longevity's sake and why. Also, will smelting recipes eventually be able to be created through JSON files in later versions of Forge, because having the smelting recipes separate from the rest of the recipes is somewhat annoying.

Thanks,

Yoyo

[DavidM]

You should ALWAYS prioritize json file over adding through code:

1. The registry now automatically register json recipes files, which makes it more convent that adding recipes via code.

2. Recipes with json are more flexible. You can create recipes factories to use json files to add customs crafting methods in your mod, which can then be used by other mods (better integrations between mods).

3. It is how vanilla Minecraft handles recipes in 1.12.2, suggesting that in the future, the json recipes system is going to receive more development and improvement than the in-code recipes system.

[Draco18s]

Its just that the smelting system hasn't moved over yet.

[Yoyoness_]

Alright, thank you both for the clarification.