book

Integrate Lua with C++

Name: Integrate Lua with C++
Author: Wenhuan Li
ISBN: 9781805128618

by Wenhuan Li

October 2023

Intermediate to advanced

216 pages

4h 14m

English

Packt Publishing

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Integrate Lua with C++
ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewer
Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your ThoughtsDownload a free PDF copy of this book
Part 1 – Lua Basics
Chapter 1: Getting Your C++ Project Lua-Ready
Technical requirementsCompiling the Lua source codeIntroducing shellBuilding LuaBuilding a C++ project with the Lua libraryCreating a project to work with the Lua libraryWriting the C++ codeWriting the MakefileTesting the projectBuilding a C++ project with the Lua source codeCreating a project to work with the Lua source codeWriting the C++ codeWriting the MakefileTesting the projectTesting the clean targetExecuting a simple Lua scriptCreating a projectWriting the MakefileWriting the C++ codeTesting the projectWriting the Lua scriptOther toolchain optionsUsing Visual Studio or XcodeUsing CygwinSummary
Chapter 2: Lua Fundamentals
Technical requirementsVariables and typesNilBooleansNumbersStringsTablesFunctionsLocal variables and scopesControl structuresif then elsewhilerepeatfor, numericalfor, genericSummaryExercisesReferences
Part 2 – Calling Lua from C++
Chapter 3: How to Call Lua from C++
Technical requirementsImplementing a Lua executorHow to include the Lua library in C++ codeGetting a Lua instanceWhat is Lua state?Executing a Lua fileWhat is a chunk?What is a Lua stack?Testing the Lua executor so farExecuting a Lua scriptUnderstanding the Lua stackPushing elementsQuerying elementsPopping elementsOperating on global variablesGetting global variablesSetting global variablesTesting it outCalling Lua functionsImplementing function invocationTesting it outSummaryExercises
Chapter 4: Mapping Lua Types to C++
Technical requirementsMapping Lua typesExploring different mapping optionsIntroducing some new Makefile tricksDefining Lua types in C++Implementing Lua types in C++Implementing a union typeWorking with the union typeSupporting different argument typesPushing onto the stackPopping from the stackPutting it togetherTesting it outSupporting a variable number of argumentsImplementing the C++ functionTesting it outSome more words on our mechanismSupporting multiple return valuesImplementing the C++ functionTesting it outSummaryExercises
Chapter 5: Working with Lua Tables
Technical requirementsWorking with Lua table entriesGetting a table entry valueSetting a table entry valueTesting table operations with string keysWorking with Lua arraysUsing array index optimizationTesting the array index optimizationRevisiting string keysOOP in LuaUsing Lua metatables to achieve inheritanceImplementing Lua class member functionsTesting it outWorking with Lua table functionsImplementing table function supportTesting it outSummaryExercises
Part 3 – Calling C++ from Lua

Chapter 6: How to Call C++ from Lua
Technical requirementsHow to register C++ functionsHow to declare C++ functions for LuaImplementing your first C++ function for LuaHow to register C++ functions to LuaTesting it outHow to override Lua library functionsReimplementing the Lua print functionOverriding the Lua print functionTesting it outHow to register C++ modulesImplementing a C++ classWhat to export to LuaDesigning a reusable exporting mechanismTesting our mechanismAccessing the C++ class instanceCompleting our stubsTesting it outSummaryExercises
Chapter 7: Working with C++ Types
Technical requirementsHow to use the Lua registrySupporting the registryTesting the registryHow to use userdataPreparing the C++ typeWhat is userdata?Designing the userdataPreparing the Lua scriptExporting C++ types to LuaSetting a metatable for the userdataCreating a metatable for the userdataGetting the object in C++Making wrappers work againTesting it outProviding a finalizerSummaryExercise
Chapter 8: Abstracting a C++ Type Exporter
Technical requirementsReviewing the factory implementationDefining the factoryImplementing the factoryDesigning a type exporterChoosing a design patternStubbing the exporterPreparing the C++ test codePreparing the Lua test scriptDefining LuaModuleDefUsing LuaModuleDefRe-implementing luaNewAre you flexible enough?SummaryExercise
Part 4 – Advanced Topics
Chapter 9: Recapping Lua-C++ Communication Mechanisms
Technical requirementsThe stackPushing onto the stackQuerying the stackOther stack operationsCalling Lua from C++Calling C++ from LuaExporting C++ modulesImplementing standalone C++ modulesCompiling the standalone moduleTesting the standalone moduleStoring state in LuaUpvaluesThe registryUserdataLight userdataFull userdataSummary
Chapter 10: Managing Resources
Technical requirementsCustomizing Lua memory allocationWhat is the Lua memory allocation function?Implementing a memory allocation functionTesting it outDelegating C++ object memory allocation to LuaUsing C++ placement newExtending LuaModuleDefExtending LuaModuleExporterTesting with the Destinations.cc moduleWhat is RAII?Summary
Chapter 11: Multithreading with Lua
Technical requirementsMultithreading in C++How does C++ support multithreading?Using multiple Lua instancesTesting it outMultithreading in LuaHow does Lua support multithreading?Using coroutine with C++Summary
Index
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Overview

Integrate Lua with C++ demystifies the process of integrating the Lua scripting language with your C++ projects. Through this hands-on guide, you will learn how to call Lua from C++, invoke C++ from Lua, manage Lua bindings, and extend your C++ applications dynamically and efficiently.

What this Book will help me do

Discover how to compile and set up the Lua interpreter for seamless integration with C++.
Understand the mechanisms of calling Lua scripts and functions from your C++ code.
Learn to invoke C++ functions from Lua, enabling dynamic interaction between the languages.
Develop proficiency in managing Lua bindings and memory for robust application development.
Implement a project-ready Lua executor and binding generator for your applications.

Author(s)

Wenhuan Li is a skilled software developer with extensive experience in both C++ and Lua, as well as integrating them to create highly flexible software solutions. Wenhuan is passionate about teaching and guiding others in mastering programming concepts, and he brings practical insights and expert techniques to this instructional book.

Who is it for?

This book is tailored for C++ developers eager to integrate Lua scripting into their projects to enhance flexibility and dynamic capabilities. If you're familiar with C++ and looking to learn both Lua scripting from scratch and the integration of these two technologies into meaningful applications, this book is for you. You should have a basic grasp of C++ programming to fully harvest the benefits of this guide.

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