According to Research Gate, the Lua programming language is growing in popularity due to its simple syntax. Its fast performance also contributes to its popularity amongst established companies like Wikipedia and GitHub. This has sprung a new wave of developers wanting to learn Lua. Often, seasoned developers rely on the best online Lua compilers to code and run their programs.
If you are a beginner in the field, selecting the best online Lua compiler can be confusing. By reading this guide, you will learn how to choose a compiler to run Lua online. There is also a featured list of the best online Lua compiler options so that you don’t have to scour the Internet for them.
What Is Lua?
Lua is a programming language used in building an embedded system. The high-level programming language is commonly used in object oriented, procedural, and functional programming. Developers use Lua in applications written in C or C++.
The embeddable scripting language is used in web development, image processing, and video game development. Developers have used it to code game projects like Warframe and World of Warcraft. They also use it as a standard library to activate scripting functionality.
Lua is known for its speed, size, and portability. It is a great language for performance, as one of the fastest programming languages with a reduced footprint. Its small size allows the language to integrate with multiple platforms. It also has a relatively simple language syntax. Lua only has 20 keywords. This also makes it easy for developers to debug.
What Is an Online Lua Compiler?
An online Lua compiler is a platform that allows users to write, edit, run, and share code. Beginners and expert programmers rely on such platforms to execute programs without starting from scratch. They can easily write, test, and debug their code on compilers, if need be.
Often, Lua compilers are free to access. However, some platforms may charge users based on the special features and your learning needs. These platforms feature syntax highlighting, keyword completion, API services, and multiple templates to foster programming in Lua.
How to Run Lua Online: Compilers, Interpreters, Code Editors, and IDE
It can be relatively confusing for a beginner to master the difference between a compiler, interpreter, code editor, and IDE. The fine line between these four platforms is barely recognizable for a novice in the field. Below, you will learn how to run Lua online using the four platforms and understand the differences between them.
Online Lua Compiler vs. Online Lua Interpreter
Developers use an online Lua compiler and an interpreter to feed systems machine-readable programming languages. The major difference between an interpreter and a compiler is that the former can only handle one line of code at a given time. The latter can easily convert multiple lines of code into machine-readable language.
Developers rely on online Lua interpreters because of their memory efficiency. This is because the interpreters don’t generate object codes. In contrast, compilers execute codes in less time.
Online Lua Compiler vs Online Lua Editor
An online Lua compiler is very different from an online Lua editor. Through the Lua editors, developers can easily pinpoint bugs in lines of code. Code editors are excellent for debugging the source code during development.
Online Lua Compiler vs Online Lua IDE
An online Lua compiler is often mistaken for an online Lua IDE by beginners in the field. An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is software that features a compiler, interpreter, and editor. A developer can easily use an IDE to write, edit, run, and debug lines of code.
Top 5 Online Lua Compilers
| Online Lua Compiler | Price | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| OneCompiler | Free | IDE with compiler |
| Tutorials Point | Free | Compiler |
| JDoodle | Free | Interpreter with compiler |
| Replit | Starter: Free, Hacker: $7 per month, Teams: pricing available upon request | IDE with compiler |
| MyCompiler | Free | IDE with compiler |
If you are a beginner in the field, learning how to code from scratch in Lua can be relatively strenuous. Instead of struggling to build a development environment or editor, you should consider these free top five robust, feature-rich online compilers to help you navigate programming with ease. The Lua compilers listed have extensive features that ensure easy and effective code writing. Find out which is the best option for your learning needs.
OneCompiler
OneCompiler allows developers to write, run, and share code online. The providers run the code through cloud servers with a scalable architecture. Through this compiler, you will surpass the need for using mobiles, tablets, desktops, or laptops while learning how to code. Once you select Lua, you will view a sample of the boilerplate code.
OneCompiler Features
- Supports more than 35 programming languages, including Java, Python, C, C++, Node JS, Haskell, Jshell, and PHP
- Provides users with tutorials and tools
- Offers access to the dashboard that helps users view their entire code history
- Runs the latest version of Lua— Lua 5.3
- Features reference programs for users to rely on for sample code snippets
Tutorials Point
You can rely on Tutorials Point to write code, run, edit, and share your code. The platform prides itself on providing beginners an opportunity to learn at their own pace.
Tutorials Point Features
- Provides a wealth of resources such as tutorials and blog posts to guide users in programming
- Doesn’t require you to sign up, submit your details, or agree to preconditions to use the service
- Allows access to development tools, including the image finder, document viewer, image optimizer, whiteboard, and XML editor online
JDoodle
This online education platform helps users master programming at their convenience. The platform provides an online compiler and IDE, terminals for databases, compiler API, and assessments.
JDoodle Features
- Provides support for over 76 programming languages
- Has a fullscreen feature that allows side-by-side coding
- Allows easy access to a dark theme on the platform
- Allows users to embed code to their website
- Offers an API service that allows users to execute their programs
Replit
Replit provides tools, platforms, and technologies for learners and developers. You can access Replit for free as a starter package. You will have access to a multiplayer collaboration, less than 0.5 vCPUs, and 500MB storage and memory.
If you want to bump up the accessible features, you can access Hacker for seven dollars a month. Hacker provides users with boosted and private REPLS. It also has ten times the storage, four times the speed, a dedicated cluster, and four times the memory. If you want to work in a team, a customized option facilitates learning. This option will have multiple projects, output tests, feedback, better speed, more storage, and better graphics.
Replit Features
- Supports over 50 programming languages
- Comes with a series of templates, so you don’t have to start coding from scratch
- Features a Universal Package Manager (UPM), through which you can simply import and run your code without installing packages
- Features a global community
MyCompiler
You can use MyCompiler to run code on any device. Once you select a programming language on the website, type in your code and select run. The platform will save you hours of setting up an Integrated Development Environment.
MyCompiler Features
- Provides autocomplete and syntax highlighting, which simplifies writing code
- Supports over 21 programming languages
- Uses tags to locate your code
- Doesn’t require you to download or install any packages if you use this compiler
Which Online Lua Compiler Should I Choose?
You should choose the online Lua compiler that meets all of your coding needs. Each compiler comes with specific features to ease your programming process. Therefore, based on the features at hand, you can narrow down the list of the best compiler for you. You should also look into keyword completion, syntax highlighting, code completion, Lua mode support, and debugger features.
The compiler should also have proper formatting, a hover feature, and linting. It’s important to check out the Lua Compiler reviews before committing to the online platform. This will give you a solid idea of the benefits of the platform. Always go for a compiler that reduces the stress you will go through while programming.
Online Lua Compiler FAQ
You can compile your Lua code using two options. You can input your Lua code into an exe file which will be run and executed once the exe file is run. Another option is converting the Lua code into bytecode and then to the targeted platform.
You can attend a Lua bootcamp program or online course. If you are a beginner in the field, you can start by writing your own projects and progress by watching tutorials. Professionals in the field can take refresher courses that can positively impact their knowledge in video game development.
Open the Lua script library and click on prepare to run a Lua script. A dialogue will prompt you to load, save, or execute code. You also have the option to create a new script. Choose the Lua script you need to run and click on execute.
Lua uses the Luac compiler. This compiler translates Lua programs to binary files, which can be loaded and executed with dofile in Lua. Precompiling helps protect code from user changes, carries out error detection, and offers faster loading. Through Luac, developers can obtain single file output featuring bytecodes from all file sources once they upload files.
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