by
Roberto Ierusalimschy
Published by Lua.org,
December 2003
ISBN 85-903798-1-7
Paperback, 288 pages, 1.7 x 23.5 x 19.0cm (0.66 x 9.3 x 7.5in)
Distributed by Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
Lua is becoming the language of choice for anyone who needs a scripting language that is simple, efficient, extensible, portable, and free. Currently, Lua is being used in areas ranging from embedded systems to Web development and is widely spread in the game industry, where knowledge of Lua is an indisputable asset.
Programming in Lua is the official book about the language, giving a solid base for any programmer who wants to use Lua. Authored by Roberto Ierusalimschy, the chief architect of the language, it covers all aspects of Lua 5.0---from the basics to its API with C---explaining how to make good use of its features and giving numerous code examples. Programming in Lua is targeted at people with some programming background, but does not assume any prior knowledge about Lua or other scripting languages.
Even those indifferent to Lua [...] will find the book presents so many good ideas, and presents them so artfully, that it's worth reading ---the Regular Expressions column (UnixReview.com), May 2004
As a Lua old timer, I wasn't expecting to be presented to so many novelties, subtleties and jewels of programming in almost every chapter. Was I wrong... ---Andre Carregal, Kepler Project
I personally ordered two copies, one to sit in my personal library besides Stroustrup and other sacred, and one to use as a reference at work. ---Marius Gheorghe, CableTest Systems Inc.
Read the book online.
Read the table of contents and the preface.
Check the errata for the first edition.
Get the source code for some examples from the book.