WoW:Lua

Lua the scripting language used by World of Warcraft for Interface Customization. Only a subset of version 5.0 of the official Lua specification is implemented, and should suit most addon maker's needs. More information about Lua can be found on the official Lua Wiki.

Programming References

These are not so much guides or tutorials, but a place to look for information on the Lua language intself. The reader should be somewhat famiar with programming in general, or even Lua.

Official Reference Manual

contains syntax and basic commands, but is heavy-going for readers without a programming background

Programming in Lua

online book by Roberto Ierusalimschy

LUA-Users

LUA user group with a Wiki which includes a FAQ, tutorials and extended help on many topics. The group also hosts a mailing list (with past archive) and a IRC channel, #lua at irc.freenode.net. Lastly, their LuaLinks page is very extensive.

Lua Editors

While any text editor can edit Lua files, many contain additional Lua specific features.

Freeware

B:Lua (Open Source)

Under development and will, in time, hopefully provide a useful IDE for WoW Lua script development.

Eclipse

Eclipse + the Lua Eclipse plugin

LuaEdit (Open Source)

Complete professional looking Lua IDE - Windows 98/2000/XP

PSPad

Syntax highlighting for Lua and XML files, fully features programmer's editor

LuaIDE

Integrated development environment for Lua for Windows

WoW SciTe

A Lua tool made specifically for development of WoW AddOns and Mods. Includes auto-completion. This is a freely distributed copy of SciTe Editor with many modifications. Contains full functional LUA script "inserting", "syntax checking", highlighting, and the latest 5.0 compiler.

Shareware

QDE

Quotix Development Environment for Lua. It supports project management, autocomplete functionality, a multi-document interface, debugging and much more. Sadly doesn't include a debug mode to test scripts with.

Zeus for Windows

IDE with Lua syntax highlighting, code folding, project management, integrated version control. The IDE is fully scriptable using Lua

TextPad

Not an official Lua IDE however, with an available syntax file available as an addon provides great syntax highlighting.

Edit+

Not an official Lua IDE however, with an available syntax file available as an addon provides great syntax highlighting. You can freely download and try it for 30 days. If you find it useful and decide to keep it over 30-day evaluation period, you should pay the registration fee. Nag window remains on startup if not registered.

EmEditor

Comprehensive text editor with Unicode support can be used both for LUA and XML. Lua syntax highlight file available at Features.

EditPad Pro

Great notepad replacement/enhancement with a Lua add-on located on this page. Free 30-day evaluation copy of EditPad Pro or download EditPad Lite, free for non-commercial use. EditPad Lite and Pro are available for Windows and Linux.