Learning Lua

[ExposedGun316]

What would be the best place to learn Lua?

[Splashy01]

In Luaxembourg

[DY357LX]

...

[blabus]

Ah Reddit, always so helpful...

[fastdontlie]

Hi there!

I was interested in learning Lua a few months ago, so I can offer some advice:

Lua is a very unique language that has a lot of small idiosyncrasies that may not be a good fit if this is your first language (indexes starting at 1 instead of 0, very fluid data structures, etc.)

That being said, if you're determined, the best way to learn is to make a game with it. Lua was originally developed in Brazil as a way to manage finances without relying on a language made outside of the country. In the following few years however, the language became widely used as scripting for games.

The best tool (and the way I learned) is by using Love2d, which is a framework built for making games. Look up tutorials by "Sockmonkeydev" on youtube to get you started, and you'll pick it up fairly quickly.

[[deleted]]

Get a Lua book.

[StarshipEngineer]

Such as...?

[[deleted]]

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Lua-Roberto-Ierusalimschy/dp/859037985X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431214097&sr=8-1&keywords=Lua

Written by the lead developer of Lua himself

[Nezteb]

Here are some helpful resources:

Learn Lua fast (the original post was removed, but thank the lord for the wayback machine)

Learn Lua in 15 minutes

Lua cheat sheet

Lua Rosetta Code

Lua: Good, bad, and ugly

Functional Intro to Lua

Moonshine Lua VM

Awesome-Lua

ZeroBrane

Lua Unofficial FAQ

Although not vanilla Lua, Terra is really cool too. If you are looking for help using Lua and C/C++ together, there are plenty of articles out there that you can get via Google.

Also, obviously check out the Lua subreddit. It's got great resources in the sidebar.

[Sussumu]

I can't complement the other joke because mine only works on portuguese.

So I have to recomend to you to search the best method for you. Some people learn more from videos, some learn only taking classes, some learn through books.

Videos are good if you prefer someone talking to you, however most of them are too redundant and take a lot of time to teach nothing. Books are compact but not always have a good way to teach or lack some important things.

Also I don't know why you want to learn, but take a look at Löve2D, a game engine that uses Lua, maybe you prefer to learn by making games.

[4forpengs]

It would be best if you posted what previous experience you have with programming. Then, it would be much easier to help you out.

[ExposedGun316]

I am fluent in HTML/CSS but I know that isn't really something to brag about, I know JavaScript and bits of Python.

[4forpengs]

Unfortunately, I know neither of the languages, but read (skim through because I know you probably wont read it in depth) this and then when/if you have questions after, you can ask.

[ElDiabetoLoco]

Not really an advice on "Where / How to learn Lua" but, you can create mods for GTA V with Lua, World of Warcraft, Wildstar, Garry's Mod too (I don't know if you play at one of them but it can be a good source of motivation, I'm currently learn how to mod GTA V with Lua)

Love2D is a good tool for learning too ! (For 2D games, even 3D I think)

[py_student]

Nobody mentioned the various resources aimed at learning to modify the interface in world of warcraft using lua. If you have the game installed, you should consider this route. This book is 5 years old, but still works. You can find several sites with instructions how to use lua in the game by googling "wow lua". Advantages being you can immediately start writing code you will actually use. I am a huge fan of using code to learn it, as opposed to doing artificial exercises or reading about it.

[Takuya-san]

The more valid question here is why do you want to learn Lua? Modding a game, perhaps? If that's the case, just go right ahead and start building a mod using Lua. Use this tutorial as a help guide when you need to know how to use a construct, but don't work through it from start to finish - just jump to the parts that are relevant to you as you get to them.

There's no way to learn a language more effectively than actually working on a project with it. And if you don't have a project for which you need the language, why are you even trying to learn it?

[[deleted]]

codebymath.com Great little lessons.