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Lua vs Perl: What are the differences?
Lua: Powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language. Lua combines simple procedural syntax with powerful data description constructs based on associative arrays and extensible semantics. Lua is dynamically typed, runs by interpreting bytecode for a register-based virtual machine, and has automatic memory management with incremental garbage collection, making it ideal for configuration, scripting, and rapid prototyping; Perl: Highly capable, feature-rich programming language with over 26 years of development. Perl is a general-purpose programming language originally developed for text manipulation and now used for a wide range of tasks including system administration, web development, network programming, GUI development, and more.
Lua and Perl belong to "Languages" category of the tech stack.
"Fast learning curve" is the top reason why over 19 developers like Lua, while over 62 developers mention "Lots of libraries" as the leading cause for choosing Perl.
Lua and Perl are both open source tools. Lua with 1.26K GitHub stars and 437 forks on GitHub appears to be more popular than Perl with 428 GitHub stars and 150 GitHub forks.
MIT, SendGrid, and WebbyLab are some of the popular companies that use Perl, whereas Lua is used by Shopify, Close, and Thumbtack. Perl has a broader approval, being mentioned in 132 company stacks & 61 developers stacks; compared to Lua, which is listed in 55 company stacks and 22 developer stacks.
I am trying to make Roblox game which requires Lua. I quite don't want to go with Lua just because other tools just might let me do more projects later on. I heard that Python is most similar to Lua, but I am still not sure which tool to use. Java, I think it will help me with many stuff later on for websites, projects, and more!
Since you are trying to make a Roblox game, you have no other option than to use Lua, since Roblox only allows coding in Lua. Yes, you've heard right, Python is identical and as easy as Lua, although Lua is easier than Python. Beginning from Lua and then escalating to Python is recommended. Java is only helpful when you are creating a heavy, big-budget, enterprise-level product, otherwise, Python would suffice.
TypeScriptIf you really hate lua check out roblox-ts, a tool that compiles typescript code into roblox lua. https://github.com/roblox-ts/roblox-ts
Pros of Lua
- Fast learning curve38
- Efficient memory usage24
- Very easy to embed in C programs24
- Open source18
- Good for game scripting14
- Simple Language7
- Supported in most game engines7
- Syntax is amazing6
- Pretty simple to learn6
- Quick to code6
- D4
- Can be used for a wide variety of development1
- Coroutines1
Pros of Perl
- Lots of libraries70
- Open source64
- Text processing61
- Powerful53
- Unix-style47
- Regex47
- Stable37
- Concise syntax31
- Hackerish27
- Easy to use21
- Swiss army chainsaw13
- CPAN12
- Code Less Do More12
- Freedom9
- All purpose7
- Community5
- Familiar5
- Readability5
- Many ways to do it4
- Object-Oriented4
- Modular4
- It's the best one-off task language3
- Smart (does alot for you)3
- Postmodern3
- For a man2
- Good man pages2
- Multi-threaded support1
- Single Source Library (CPAN)1
- Auto case variables1
- Hashes1
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Cons of Lua
- Nooby3
- Not widespread2
Cons of Perl
- Messy $/@/% syntax3
- No exception handling3
- No OS threads2
- Bad OO support2
- "1;"2
- Copy-on-create for interpreter-based threads1
- Barewords1
- Errors/warnings are ignored by default1
- Variables are global by default1
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What is Lua?
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