Lua bindings

Taiwins is currently configed through lua language. refer to config as an example.

here are some knowledge about lua c API.

You work with a stack when dealing with lua C code, it is annoying sometimes, as it kinda like writing assembly, but it is what it is.

registry

For c programmer, you have registry LUA_REGISTRYINDEX to store your data, call lua_setfile(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX, pos) to set the data.

metatables, __index and __newindex

• metatable serves the purpose of operator overrides.

• __index is for element access.

• __newindex is for elements assignment.

using metatables provides much more syntax sugar for configurations. If you decide to override the __index and __newindex for metatable, you can’t assign elements into tables after setting metatables anymore. So register methods BEFORE assigning metatables.

If you have a global table, placing methods inside the table directly instead of inside the metatable would be a good idea.

To call a lua fuction

• lua_getglobal : at 0

• lua_pushstring : at -1. first argument

• lua_newtable : at -2. second argument

• lua_pushtablestring operate on table

• lua_call : clear the stack, call the function then push results onto stack for you to retrieve.

to create a lua global variable

• lua_push* : you have some thing on the stack.

• lua_setglobal : pop that value and sets it as global variable in the lua context

to get something in the table

For example, you can create a new table then set it as global, then to get the field.

• lua_pushstring : push the name of that field.

• lua_gettable(L, index) : use what we pushed onto stack to get the field. index is usually just -2.

• access the value by the index of -1

• lua_pop, pop that value.

to set something in the table

• lua_newtable : create the table

• lua_pushstring : the name of the field.

• lua_push* : push a actual value for that field.

• lua_settable : the index should be -3, points to the table.

• lua_setglobal : set our table name and pop it from the stack.