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GNU Bash vs Lua: What are the differences?
Introduction
This Markdown code provides a comparison between GNU Bash and Lua, highlighting the key differences between the two programming languages.
Variable Declaration and Scope: In GNU Bash, variables are implicitly declared and have a global scope unless explicitly defined as local. In contrast, Lua requires explicit variable declaration and provides options for local and global scope control.
Data Types: GNU Bash primarily deals with strings, with limited support for numeric operations. Lua, on the other hand, supports various data types including strings, numbers, booleans, tables, functions, and userdata.
Syntax and Control Flow: Bash uses a shell scripting syntax with built-in commands and functions for tasks such as file manipulation and system management. Lua utilizes a more traditional programming syntax with constructs like loops, conditionals, and functions, making it more suitable for general-purpose programming tasks.
Arrays and Tables: In Bash, arrays are implemented as strings with special delimiters. Lua provides built-in support for tables, a more versatile data structure capable of storing different data types and offering advanced features like key-value pairs and iteration.
File Handling: While both languages can handle file I/O operations, GNU Bash has native support for file rediirection, allowing easy manipulation of input and output streams. Lua requires the use of its file I/O libraries to perform similar operations.
Script Execution: In Bash, scripts are typically executed from the command line as shell scripts. Lua scripts, on the other hand, are usually executed within the Lua interpreter or embedded in applications that have Lua support.
In summary, GNU Bash focuses on shell scripting and system management, providing simplicity and quick command execution, while Lua offers a more comprehensive programming language with extensive data types, syntax, and control flow constructs for general-purpose programming tasks.
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.
If you really hate lua check out roblox-ts, a tool that compiles typescript code into roblox lua. https://github.com/roblox-ts/roblox-ts
If you have a file (demo.txt) that has 3 columns:
Column-1 Column-2 Column-3
Row-1a Row-2a Row-3a
Row-1b Row-2b Row-3b
Row-1c Row-2c Row-3c
Row-1d Row-2d Row-3d
Row-1e Row-2e Row-3e
and you want to only view the first column of the file in your CLI, run the following:
awk {'print $1'} demo.txt
Column-1
Row-1a
Row-1b
Row-1c
Row-1d
Row-1e
If you want to print the second column of demo.txt, just replace $1 with $2
Pros of GNU Bash
- Customizable3
- Powerful scripting language3
- Widely adopted2
- Cross platform0
Pros of Lua
- Fast learning curve41
- Very easy to embed in C programs26
- Efficient memory usage26
- Open source20
- Good for game scripting19
- Pretty simple to learn9
- Quick to code8
- Simple Language8
- Syntax is amazing7
- Supported in most game engines7
- D6
- Coroutines2
- Can be used for a wide variety of development1
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Cons of GNU Bash
- Too Slow1
Cons of Lua
- Nooby4
- Not widespread2
- D1
- Python0
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What is GNU Bash?
What is Lua?
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