> [!ai] Phind: [Phind](https://www.phind.com/search?cache=jr3p4j3eg5pgehdbuewi1vbc) > # Lua Programming Language > > ## Overview > > Lua is a lightweight, high-level, multi-paradigm programming language designed primarily for embedded use in applications. It was created in 1993 by Roberto Ierusalimschy, Luiz Henrique de Figueiredo, and Waldemar Celes at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. > > ## Key Features > > - **Multi-paradigm**: Supports procedural, object-oriented, functional, and data-driven programming. > - **Lightweight**: The full reference interpreter is only about 247 kB compiled. > - **Extensible**: Provides mechanisms for extending the language, allowing programmers to implement domain-specific features. > - **Cross-platform**: The interpreter is written in ANSI C, making Lua highly portable. > - **Dynamic Typing**: Supports dynamic typing and automatic memory management with garbage collection. > - **First-class Functions**: Functions are first-class values, allowing for higher-order functions and closures. > - **Coroutines**: Supports cooperative multitasking with coroutines. > > ## Syntax and Data Structures > > Lua's syntax is simple and easy to learn, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced programmers. The primary data structure in Lua is the table, which can be used to represent arrays, sets, lists, and records. > > ### Example Code > > ```lua > -- Define a factorial function > function factorial(n) > if n == 0 then > return 1 > else > return n * factorial(n - 1) > end > end > > print(factorial(5)) -- Output: 120 > ``` > > ## Applications > > Lua is widely used in various domains, particularly in game development and embedded systems. Notable applications include: > > - **Video Games**: Lua is used in games like World of Warcraft, Roblox, and Angry Birds. > - **Non-Game Software**: Lua is used in Adobe Lightroom, Nmap, and as a scripting language in MediaWiki through the Scribunto extension. > > ## History > > Lua was developed in response to the need for a flexible and extensible scripting language for software applications in Brazil, where strong trade barriers limited the availability of foreign software. Lua's predecessors were the Simple Object Language (SOL) and the data-entry language (DEL), both developed at Tecgraf. > > ## Influences and Derived Languages > > Lua has been influenced by languages such as C++, CLU, Modula, Scheme, and SNOBOL. It has, in turn, influenced languages like GameMonkey, Io, JavaScript, Julia, and Ruby. > > ## Further Reading > > - **Programming in Lua** by Roberto Ierusalimschy > - **Game Programming with Python, Lua, and Ruby** by T. Gutschmidt > - **Game Development with Lua** by P. Schuytema and M. Manyen > - **Beginning Lua Programming** by K. Jung and A. Brown > > ## Conclusion > > Lua is a versatile and powerful programming language that excels in embedded systems and game development. Its simplicity, extensibility, and portability make it a popular choice for developers looking to add scripting capabilities to their applications. > > Citations: > [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lua_(programming_language) > [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Module > [3] http://lua-users.org/wiki/ > [4] https://www.lua.org/ > [5] https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Lua_Programming > [6] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Lua > [7] https://pico-8.fandom.com/wiki/Lua > [8] http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaTutorial > [9] https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/Terraria_Wiki:Lua > [10] https://roblox.fandom.com/wiki/Lua ## Resources - [GitHub - LuaLS/lua-language-server: A language server that offers Lua language support - programmed in Lua](https://github.com/LuaLS/lua-language-server) - [Programming in Lua](https://www.lua.org/pil/) - [Lua Programming Gems](https://www.lua.org/gems/) - ## Articles - [Ferib: Lua Devirtualization Part 2: Decompiling Lua](https://ferib.dev/blog.php?l=post/Lua_Devirtualization_Part_2_Decompiling_Lua)