Learn Lua by Building Projects (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Independently Published, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.Grand Eagle Retail
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Condition: New
£ 24.90
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. Most programming books teach you a language. This one teaches you how to build things with it.If you've ever opened a Lua tutorial, memorized a page of syntax, and then had absolutely no idea what to actually make with it, you're exactly who this book was written for. Lua has a reputation problem: it's the language quietly running inside some of the biggest video games ever made, powering routers, controlling industrial hardware, and scripting business-critical automation, and yet almost nobody teaches it like it deserves. This book fixes that.What Makes This DifferentEvery chapter here is built around a real, working project, not a toy example you'll forget by the next page. You won't just read about loops and functions in the abstract; you'll use them immediately to build a number-guessing game, a contact manager, a task automation tool, a playable 2D game, and more. By the time you close this book, you won't just know Lua, you'll have a small portfolio of things you actually built with it.The book is organized the way a real project grows: start with the fundamentals, move into functions and data structures, then branch out into the four areas where Lua genuinely shines, games, applications, automation, and embedded systems, before bringing it all together in a capstone project that ties every concept into one complete, functioning piece of software.Who This Book Is ForComplete beginners who want their very first programming language to feel practical from day one, not theoretical for two hundred pages before anything "clicks."Game developers and modders who keep running into Lua inside game engines and finally want to actually understand it instead of copy-pasting scripts they don't fully grasp.Hobbyists and tinkerers working with embedded devices, routers, or automation scripts who need a language that's small, fast, and everywhere, but were never taught it properly.Experienced programmers picking up Lua as a new tool who want a fast, no-fluff path to fluency without wading through beginner filler.What's InsideTwelve carefully structured chapters cover everything from your first "Hello, Lua!" program to variables, control flow, functions, closures, tables, file handling, and real error-proof debugging, before moving into genuinely fun territory: building a complete 2D game with the LOEVE framework, writing object-oriented and event-driven code, creating command-line applications, automating repetitive tasks, scripting for embedded hardware, and finally architecting a full project from scratch.Every chapter is code-heavy, thoroughly explained, and built to be typed out, run, and broken on purpose, because that's how programming actually sticks.Why It MattersLua isn't a toy language. It's the scripting layer behind blockbuster games, the configuration language inside networking hardware, and the automation tool of choice for developers who need something small, fast, and dependable. Learning it properly doesn't just teach you Lua, it teaches you how professional developers think about code: modular, defensive, tested, and built to last.If you're ready to stop reading about programming and start actually doing it, this is the book that gets you there, one real project at a time. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9798172970122
- Title
- Learn Lua by Building Projects (Paperback)
- Author
- Mercer Thornton
- Publisher
- Independently Published
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798172970122
If you've ever opened a Lua tutorial, memorized a page of syntax, and then had absolutely no idea what to actually make with it, you're exactly who this book was written for. Lua has a reputation problem: it's the language quietly running inside some of the biggest video games ever made, powering routers, controlling industrial hardware, and scripting business-critical automation, and yet almost nobody teaches it like it deserves. This book fixes that.
What Makes This DifferentEvery chapter here is built around a real, working project, not a toy example you'll forget by the next page. You won't just read about loops and functions in the abstract; you'll use them immediately to build a number-guessing game, a contact manager, a task automation tool, a playable 2D game, and more. By the time you close this book, you won't just know Lua, you'll have a small portfolio of things you actually built with it.
The book is organized the way a real project grows: start with the fundamentals, move into functions and data structures, then branch out into the four areas where Lua genuinely shines, games, applications, automation, and embedded systems, before bringing it all together in a capstone project that ties every concept into one complete, functioning piece of software.
Who This Book Is For- Complete beginners who want their very first programming language to feel practical from day one, not theoretical for two hundred pages before anything "clicks."
- Game developers and modders who keep running into Lua inside game engines and finally want to actually understand it instead of copy-pasting scripts they don't fully grasp.
- Hobbyists and tinkerers working with embedded devices, routers, or automation scripts who need a language that's small, fast, and everywhere, but were never taught it properly.
- Experienced programmers picking up Lua as a new tool who want a fast, no-fluff path to fluency without wading through beginner filler.
Twelve carefully structured chapters cover everything from your first "Hello, Lua!" program to variables, control flow, functions, closures, tables, file handling, and real error-proof debugging, before moving into genuinely fun territory: building a complete 2D game with the LÖVE framework, writing object-oriented and event-driven code, creating command-line applications, automating repetitive tasks, scripting for embedded hardware, and finally architecting a full project from scratch.
Every chapter is code-heavy, thoroughly explained, and built to be typed out, run, and broken on purpose, because that's how programming actually sticks.
Why It MattersLua isn't a toy language. It's the scripting layer behind blockbuster games, the configuration language inside networking hardware, and the automation tool of choice for developers who need something small, fast, and dependable. Learning it properly doesn't just teach you Lua, it teaches you how professional developers think about code: modular, defensive, tested, and built to last.
If you're ready to stop reading about programming and start actually doing it, this is the book that gets you there, one real project at a time.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grand Eagle Retail
Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 14 business days | 6 to 16 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street
Wilmington, DE U.S.A. 19805
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it¿s described on the Abebooks web sites. If you¿ve changed
your mind about a book that you¿ve ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us
and we¿ll respond within 2 business days.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All books within the US ship free of charge. Delivery is 4-14 business days anywhere in the United States.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.