Best Practices
Essential best practices for developing, securing, and managing FiveM servers and resources.
Following best practices is crucial for creating secure, performant, and maintainable FiveM servers and resources. This comprehensive guide covers everything from development standards to server management and security protocols.
Overview
These best practices have been compiled from years of community experience, security research, and performance optimization. Whether you're a new developer or an experienced server owner, following these guidelines will help you:
- Build secure resources that protect against exploits and abuse
- Optimize performance for smooth gameplay with many players
- Maintain clean code that's easy to debug and extend
- Manage servers effectively with proper monitoring and maintenance
- Follow industry standards for professional development
Core Principles
Security First
Always assume that client-side code can be manipulated. Validate everything on the server, implement proper permissions, and follow the principle of least privilege.
Performance Matters
Every millisecond counts in a multiplayer environment. Optimize loops, minimize network traffic, and monitor resource usage regularly.
Code Quality
Write maintainable, documented code that follows consistent patterns. Your future self (and your team) will thank you.
User Experience
Design systems that are intuitive and responsive. Poor UX leads to frustrated players and empty servers.
Essential Best Practices
Security Best Practices
Protect your server and players from exploits, abuse, and unauthorized access:
- Server Hardening: Authentication settings, request filtering, and network security
- Input Validation: Server-side validation, SQL injection prevention, and data sanitization
- Access Control: Permission systems, role-based access, and command security
- Anti-Cheat: Detection systems, monitoring tools, and prevention strategies
- Data Protection: Secure storage, encryption, and privacy considerations
Key Topics:
- Authentication and trust settings
- Resource security patterns
- Database security
- Network protection
- Monitoring and logging
Performance Optimization
Maximize server performance and provide smooth gameplay:
- Server Configuration: Network optimization, resource limits, and hardware tuning
- Resource Optimization: Efficient scripting, memory management, and threading
- Database Optimization: Query optimization, connection pooling, and caching
- Network Optimization: Reducing bandwidth usage and improving responsiveness
- Monitoring Tools: Performance tracking and bottleneck identification
Key Topics:
- Network rate limits and optimization
- Script performance patterns
- Database query optimization
- Memory management techniques
- Profiling and monitoring tools
Resource Development
Create high-quality, maintainable resources:
- Project Structure: Organized file layouts and naming conventions
- Code Standards: Consistent formatting, commenting, and patterns
- Error Handling: Robust error management and recovery
- Testing: Unit testing, integration testing, and debugging
- Documentation: Clear documentation and API references
Key Topics:
- Directory organization and file structure
- Coding standards and conventions
- Event handling best practices
- Database integration patterns
- Version control and collaboration
Server Management
Effectively manage and maintain your server:
- Server Setup: Initial configuration and optimization
- Monitoring: Performance tracking, error logging, and health checks
- Maintenance: Regular updates, backups, and cleanup procedures
- Scaling: Handling growth and load distribution
- Community Management: Player administration and support
Key Topics:
- Server configuration and setup
- Monitoring and alerting systems
- Backup and recovery procedures
- Update management processes
- Player management tools
Quick Reference
Daily Tasks
- ✅ Monitor server performance and player count
- ✅ Check error logs for issues
- ✅ Review player reports and take action
- ✅ Backup critical data
Weekly Tasks
- ✅ Update resources and dependencies
- ✅ Review security logs
- ✅ Performance analysis and optimization
- ✅ Community feedback review
Monthly Tasks
- ✅ Full security audit
- ✅ Performance benchmarking
- ✅ Resource code review
- ✅ Disaster recovery testing
Development Checklist
Before Writing Code
- Plan the feature requirements and scope
- Design the database schema (if needed)
- Consider security implications
- Identify performance requirements
During Development
- Follow consistent coding standards
- Implement proper error handling
- Add comprehensive logging
- Write unit tests for critical functions
- Document public APIs and functions
Before Deployment
- Code review by another developer
- Security testing and validation
- Performance testing under load
- Backup existing systems
- Test rollback procedures
After Deployment
- Monitor for errors and performance issues
- Gather user feedback
- Document any issues and resolutions
- Plan future improvements
Security Checklist
Server Security
- Enable request filtering and paranoia mode
- Set appropriate authentication trust levels
- Configure network security settings
- Implement rate limiting
- Regular security audits
Resource Security
- Validate all client inputs on server
- Use parameterized database queries
- Implement proper permission checks
- Sanitize user-generated content
- Log security-relevant events
Data Security
- Encrypt sensitive data at rest
- Use secure communication channels
- Implement proper backup encryption
- Regular backup testing
- Access control for administrative functions
Performance Checklist
Server Performance
- Optimize network settings
- Monitor resource usage
- Configure appropriate limits
- Regular performance profiling
- Database query optimization
Resource Performance
- Use appropriate wait times in loops
- Implement efficient event handling
- Minimize network traffic
- Cache frequently accessed data
- Clean up unused resources
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Security Pitfalls
- ❌ Trusting client-side data without validation
- ❌ Using string concatenation for SQL queries
- ❌ Storing sensitive data in client-accessible locations
- ❌ Implementing security through obscurity
- ❌ Ignoring input validation for "trusted" sources
Performance Pitfalls
- ❌ Using
Citizen.Wait(0)unnecessarily - ❌ Processing all players every frame
- ❌ Not implementing proper database connection pooling
- ❌ Storing large amounts of data in memory unnecessarily
- ❌ Not monitoring resource usage regularly
Development Pitfalls
- ❌ Not following consistent naming conventions
- ❌ Writing functions that do too many things
- ❌ Not implementing proper error handling
- ❌ Skipping code documentation
- ❌ Not using version control effectively
Tools and Resources
Development Tools
- VS Code with Lua extensions for development
- Git for version control and collaboration
- MySQL Workbench for database management
- Postman for API testing
- Wireshark for network analysis
Monitoring Tools
- FiveM built-in profiler for performance analysis
- Resource monitor (resmon) for real-time metrics
- Custom logging systems for error tracking
- Database monitoring tools for query analysis
Testing Tools
- Unit testing frameworks for automated testing
- Load testing tools for performance validation
- Security scanners for vulnerability assessment
- Code analysis tools for quality assurance
Community Standards
Code Style
- Use consistent indentation (4 spaces recommended)
- Follow descriptive naming conventions
- Write clear, concise comments
- Organize code into logical sections
- Use meaningful variable and function names
Documentation
- Document all public functions and APIs
- Include usage examples
- Maintain changelogs for updates
- Provide clear installation instructions
- Document configuration options
Collaboration
- Use descriptive commit messages
- Create pull requests for code review
- Follow semantic versioning for releases
- Respond to issues and feedback promptly
- Contribute back to the community
Getting Started
New to FiveM development? Start with:
- Security Best Practices - Essential for any server
- Resource Development - Learn proper development patterns
- Performance Optimization - Keep your server running smoothly
- Server Management - Maintain your server effectively
Remember: Good practices save time, prevent issues, and create better experiences for your players.