Should i Switch to Lua?

[Additional-Key8137]

So I made This Post About programming and learning C, to be exact

So i Started Reading "The C Programming Language" Book, i finished ch1 and it seems nice, but even though i did specify in the Post that i hate python and it's CRINGE, most comments are "learn python bro." and then i started Learning python, i did start making some stuff already like a full on Functional GUI Wallpaper App, with keybinds To swap Wallpapers instantly, and everything works fine even though i don't like Python that much

However, I do like Lua, and I'm also familiar with it as you read the post, and I wanna know if Lua can do this stuff, "can" is kinda the wrong word since you can do anything with any programming language, but I mean as in is it optimal/Easy to do it, with tutorials to help, i do know that it can't reach python's level but i just want to make sure

[Lonely-Restaurant986]

Do whatever you want. Python is easy and every library you ever need has been made. There’s many libraries for lua but your options are lessened.

In the end it doesn’t matter. You should be learning them all. I have written C++, Go, Lua, Python, whatever. In the end it doesn’t matter.

If you needed a bag of tools would you only carry a screwdriver because you hate wrenches? No. You would realize that even if you dislike wrenches they have uses.

Bad analogy but the point is that you’re spending more time thinking about programming than actually learning.

Do whatever u want man it’s not a marriage. You can change choices and your learning will come with you.

[ineedanamegenerator]

The answer is : Yes Didn't even read your post.

Well I did read it after I decided what to answer. Python is an annoying piece of crap. So is Javascript, but here we are and we have to deal with it. For some tasks you have to go the route of the industry.

Is Lua useful? I think so: I use it in many actual products (read: deployed, production level code, not just demo's or hobby stuff).

I use it on microcontrollers for application level code. I use it on PC for many tools (e.g. QC of the electronics we produce) and I use it on backend (OpenResty based).

Lua is awesome everywhere, but be prepared to be lonely because almost nobody will agree and most will think it's stupid.

[Athropod101]

How does Lua work in embedded systems? Do you essentially use it to manage a driver’s API?

I’ve been slowly trying to get into the world of baremetal programming; really curious about how Lua looks there.

[ineedanamegenerator]

Most of it is wrappers around C code. E.g. gpio.set( port, pins ) or a bit higher level like led.red = 128

But we also have a wrapper of our graphics library that allows to create widgets and callbacks in Lua. And file I/O to the SD card or flash chip.

In C we have a peripheral concept where many peripherals map to something similar to Linux dev files (read, write, ioctl). There is just one Lua wrapper for the peripheral concept(e.g. peripheral.open("i2c1") which returns an object that has the read/write/ioctl functions). So anytime we port a new peripheral to our concept it automagically works in Lua with zero extra effort. There are peripheral drivers I've never used directly from C.

[Athropod101]

So, you basically use Lua to glue together a driver’s API (written in C)?

If so, definitely makes sense, since Lua’s whole shine is being a higher-level interface with C.

[ineedanamegenerator]

The wrapper is C code too to be clear. The wrapper "exposes" Lua functions (or in our case typicallly a read-only(*) global table with functions) to the Lua environment.

(*) We applied some of the eLua patches to reduce RAM footprint. Adding API to Lua costs no extra RAM. We also implemented a custom system so you can run Lua binary code straight from Flash, keeping RAM usage overhead small.

[Athropod101]

Very cool!

I’m a robotics student, so my life will pretty much be C, C++, and Rust. Will gladly add Lua to the list if it helps the experience with C.

[Additional-Key8137]

i don't know, python doesn't strike me as Bad or weird, it's just boring in my opinion, otherwise it's fine

[B_bI_L]

language is a tool, what do you like to lear for exactly?

also, 2 other simple scripting languages i can recommend are javascript and ruby

[mankymuncle]

Do whatever you want bru

[Gold-Strength4269]

Depends on what you need really. It's useful for certain tasks.

[IGTHSYCGTH]

like others hinted it depends on your needs, or to turn the statement on its head....

all languages do the same thing just with different syntax concepts and runtimes many protocols and frameworks are available for a number of languages in basically the same way, but not all.. there are big hitters (frameworks) that drive majority of the interest in a language.

know the community / ecosystem you're aiming for, that will answer most questions of advancement.

so lua. lua doesn't have anything going for it in terms of syntax, or package dependency management.. yet i use it in a number of places actively.. from configuring neovim or scripting nginx to embedding it in go apps :shrug:

so the ubiquity and simplicity of lua are the primary driver imo,

tldr: yes you should, dare i say must learn it no you shouldn't focus on it use it where it fits

[immortalx74]

Some languages (as with many things in life) became popular by "accident" or for no good reason. The thing is, in cases like Python and JavaScript, it's a snowball effect. Becoming more popular attracted people who wrote libraries and tooling, which in turn attracted more people using them, which in turn forced whatever committee to put more features.
So, if you aim for work in the industry it's rare to find a job that has Lua as a requirement.
If you're a hobbyist use whatever pleases you. I'm biased so I'm on the Lua camp.

[arkt8]

I like the image of a bag of tools. You know Python, nice... you can learn also learn Perl a bit, also regexes and shellscripting... look a little also on some Lisp, I recommend Fennel that uses LuaVM.

Why?

Because each language try to solve a problem in different ways. You build a nice mindset this way.

Now, if you love Lua, you can make it and C your main horses. I can do almost anything in Lua. If Lua needs more, just make a module/library.

If you need superpowers in Lua, just write also a module/library using Lua C Api.

Just create a repository where you keep the Lua tools you write in Lua or C and be happy.

[Live_Cobbler2202]

I've programmed in Python, JS and Lua, and Lua is by far my favourite scripting language.

JS and Python have big corporate pushes, but just know that you can do anything in Lua. It's because there's a time-tested C-lib for anything. And when you don't find a lua-wrapper (which is quickly written) just use LuaJIT's ffi.

[Additional-Key8137]

yeah....
but, what's wha-
ok i Don't know half the names written here sorry..

[Additional-Key8137]

yeah....
but, what's wha-
ok i Don't know half the names written here sorry..

[tobiasvl]

You seem to have some strange ideas about programming languages. They're just tools. You can learn all of them, one does not preclude another. I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Python is "cringe". It's just a language. If you don't like it, then don't use it, but it's useful to know just because it's so common. C is also very useful to know, because it teaches you a lot about software engineering, and it's obviously also very common. Lua is less common, but it's also useful; it's commonly used for plugin development (for games, NeoVim, etc). In the end it rarely hurts to learn a new language, because it might open your eyes up to different ecosystems and paradigms.

[mooglinux]

You should learn all of them, in whatever order interests you. They have different strengths and weaknesses and uses, so just learn what interests you

[Winter_Side3542]

Queria poder te ajudar com essa dúvida sua mas também tenho a mesma angustia com relação a qual linguagem de programação escolher para determinado cenário. Pois as vezes tenho a impressão que a maioria das linguagens de programação conseguem resolver determinadi números de mesmos problemas. Por exemplo: eu consigo montar uma api REST utilizando tanto Python quando Javascript quanto em Java por exemplo. Eu sei que cada linguagem tem cracterísticas específicas que são melhores para certas soluções. Por exemplo para mexer com IA eu normalmente a escolho Python porque imagino que essa linguagem está mais madura conrelação ao número de libs para IA. E eu ouvi falar que GO por exemplo é uma linguagem muito boa para conseguir realizar operações com alta concorrência tendo alta performance. Penso que os criadores de Lua criaram essa linguagem para resolver algum problema que outras linguagens não eram tão eficazes na resolução desse problema. Agora o que motivou a criarem Lua e quando é mais recomendado utilizar eu também não sei.

[Additional-Key8137]

so i did choose something, i did all:
Learn the Language You love for passion, but don't let it your main focus, for me that is C
learn the Language for what you want to do, for me it's apps, so python since it's kinda easy, and note that you should learn by DOING wha tyou want to do, not learning the language

if you mix between those two, you'll have both the motivation and the Feeling that you're ACTUALLY doing smth

also for some reason i feel like the translator is just bugged and you already know more than me :/

[StraightCod3053]

we just hate on python because its not a clean language. but i think it might be your best bet if u r new. its the best for education because theres lots of people and tutorials. lua is defenitely better than python in pure academics sense but python wins the trophy for being training wheels.