WoW:Lua: Difference between revisions

'''Lua''', from the Portuguese word for "moon" {{ref2|Lua|PUC-Rio|publisher=PUC-Rio|title=About|date=2016-06-18|work=Lua |link=http://www.lua.org/about.html|accessdate=2016-06-18}}, is a general scripting language, and is used in many games, including [[w:c:wowwiki:World of Warcraft|World of Warcraft]] for [[UI Customization|interface customization]].

In WoW only subset of Lua version 5.1 is implemented, which should suit most [[AddOns|addon]] maker's needs. More information about Lua can be found on the official [http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaFaq Lua FAQ].

== Programming references ==

The following are places to look for information on the Lua language itself. For these it helps if you are already familiar with programming in general.

 

* [http://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/ Official Reference Manual] - Contains Lua syntax and basic commands, but is a heavy, highly-technical read for those without a programming background. See [http://pgl.yoyo.org/luai Luai] for and alternative way of browsing the manual.

 

* [http://www.inf.puc-rio.br/~roberto/book/ Programming in Lua] - Definitive Lua guide by [http://www.inf.puc-rio.br/~roberto/ Roberto Ierusalimschy]. See also the [http://www.lua.org/pil/ online version].

 

* [http://lua-users.org/ lua-users] - A Lua user group with a [http://lua-users.org/wiki/ Wiki]. Includes a [http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaFaq FAQ], [http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaTutorial tutorials] and [http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaDirectory extended help on many topics]. The group also hosts a mailing list with past [http://lua-users.org/lists/lua-l/ archive], and a IRC channel [irc://irc.freenode.net/lua #lua at irc.freenode.net]. Their [http://lua-users.org/wiki/LuaLinks LuaLinks] page is very extensive.

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

See [[Lua editors]]

== Using Lua for WoW ==

* [[WoWBench]] - Aims to be a near-complete emulation of the WoW environment.

* [http://luaforge.net/projects/lua-wow Lua 5.1.1 WoW] - Distribution created by cogwheel that includes everything needed for addon development

* [[Lua variable scoping]] - Guide for Lua scoping rules

* [[Lua functions]] - Functions available in the World of Warcraft API

* [[User defined functions]] - Useful functions written by addon authors

* [[Lua file]] - File format for a Lua file in a WoW AddOn

* [[Lua object memory sizes]] - Treatise on memory in Lua

* [[World of Warcraft API]] - Lists global API functions provided in WoW