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Programming Language

Lua

Scripting Language

Lua is a lightweight, high-level, multi-paradigm programming language designed primarily for embedded use in applications. Lua is cross-platform software, since the interpreter of compiled bytecode is written in ANSI C, and it has a relatively simple C application programming interface (API) to embed it into applications. Lua originated in 1993 at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is widely used to script video games and other applications.

Facts
Classification
Typing Discipline
Dynamically Typed 1
Typing Discipline
Strongly Typed 1
Typing Discipline
Duck Typed 1
License
MIT 1
First Released
1993 1
Paradigm
Multi paradigm: scripting, imperative, functional 2
Significance
A lightweight embeddable scripting language widely used in video game development for its ease of embedding and fast execution. 2
Connections

Influenced

Io (programming language), Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Io
JavaScript, Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: JavaScript
Julia, Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Julia
Red (programming language), Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Red
Squirrel (programming language), Programming Languages
Source Squirrel (programming language) (Wikidata)

Influenced By

C++, Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Lua
Modula-2, Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Lua
SNOBOL, Programming Languages
Source Wikidata: Lua

Invented By

Roberto Ierusalimschy, Pioneers
Source Wikidata: Lua
Sources
1. Wikidata: Lua
  • Wikidata Q207316, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Wikidata Q207316 P571 (inception)
  • Wikidata Q207316 P275 (license)
  • Wikidata Q207316 P7078 (typing discipline)
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Lua (programming language)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Infobox: First appeared
    1993; 33 years ago (1993)
  • Infobox: Paradigm
    Multi-paradigm: scripting, imperative (procedural, prototype-based, object-oriented), functional, meta, reflective
  • Article body, game development discussion
    In video game development, Lua is widely used as a scripting language, mainly due to its perceived ease of embedding, fast execution, and short learning curve.
View the Source
Wikidata: Julia
Influenced: JuliaView the Source
Wikidata: Red
Influenced: Red (programming language)View the Source
Squirrel (programming language) (Wikidata)
Influenced: Squirrel (programming language), P737 (influenced by): Lua
Quote, Influenced: Squirrel (programming language), P737 (influenced by): Lua
Lua
View the Source
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Lua widely used in video game development?

Its perceived ease of embedding, fast execution and short learning curve.

In video game development, Lua is widely used as a scripting language, mainly due to its perceived ease of embedding, fast execution, and short learning curve.
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