What this book covers

Chapter 1, Introduction to Lua, serves as an introduction to Lua by answering the question what is Lua? Next, the chapter walks the reader through downloading and installing the appropriate Lua binaries, as well as Visual Studio Code. Visual Studio Code is the code editor we will be using throughout this book to edit Lua files.

Chapter 2, Working with Lua, is a primer on the basics of the Lua language. For those who have not programmed before, this chapter teaches the basic concepts of programming, such as variables, loops, and functions. For the more experienced programmer reading the book, this chapter serves as an introduction to Lua's syntax.

Chapter 3, Tables and Objects, states that the most powerful features of Lua are its table and meta-table systems. Through these systems, the language it self can be extended. This chapter focuses on exploring what tables are, how they work, and how they can be used to extend the language to support concepts such as object-oriented programming.

Chapter 4, Lua Libraries, explains that Lua ships with a large and mature standard library. This chapter explores the functionality provided by the standard Lua libraries. The functionality exposed by the standard libraries allows us to do complicated math, work with files, and interface with the operating system.

Chapter 5, Debugging Lua, explains that Lua provides us with powerful debugging facilities that allow us to debug Lua code using Lua its-self. This chapter explores how to do this. In addition to exploring Lua's built-in debug facilities, optional tools that offer an intuitive and standard debugging interface are covered.

Chapter 6, Embedding Lua, discusses Lua's C API. This chapter covers all the API functions required to embed Lua into an existing application. Lua was designed to be an embeddable language, and therefore the C API is small, clean, and straightforward. By the end of the chapter, you will have mastered the Lua stack and will be able to work with Lua from C.

Chapter 7, Lua Bridge, explains that even though Lua's C API is simple, it's verbose. Doing basic tasks can take a lot of typing. Lua Bridge is a third-party Lua binding library that aims to make embedding Lua in C much easier and less verbose. All the Lua Bridge functionality needed for common tasks such as exposing functions, variables, or objects are covered in this chapter.

Chapter 8, Next Steps, explains that by now, you will have a solid grasp of the basics of programming, Lua, and the Lua C API. This chapter focuses on what you can do with all this new-found knowledge. Further books and learning resources are provided in this chapter. In addition to learning resources, some practical suggestions such as Lua-powered game engines and games that can be modified with Lua are made.