Lua Help

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Roblox Lua
Making your maps do crazy things

Lua (not "LUA") is a simple programming language that is used in Roblox to add in customized content, like cars that drive, weapons, planes, random terrain, and whole games, and much more!

This page provides tutorials to help users to learn Lua.

There are often multiple tutorials on the same subject, so if you don't understand something in one of them, try another!

If you still don't understand something, you can ask at Scripting Helpers. Note that you're more likely to get an answer if you ask a specific question than something general, and that if you have a problem with a piece of code, posting the code really helps people to find what the problem is. Posts just asking "How do I script?" or "Make me this" are usually ignored.

Introduction series - read these first!

Script Creation WalkthroughCreating and running scripts.

FlowchartsUsing diagrams to show the "flow" of a script.

Basic MathWorking with numbers in a script.

StringsWorking with text in a script.

BooleansWorking with yes/no values in a script.

VariablesHow to hold data in a static reference.

Conditional StatementsMaking scripts do different things in different situations.

LoopsMaking a piece of code run multiple times.

FunctionsWrapping code in a useful function to be called upon later in a script.

TablesStoring multiple objects in one.

Generic forUsing a loop to iterate through a table.

Other Guides

Beginner's Guide to ScriptingIf you've never worked with scripting before, look here.

Basic ScriptingShows you some of the basics of scripting.

How to Script AnythingLearn the basic methods to put together any script.

In-Depth Scripting GuideMore ways to understand the dynamics of Lua.

Programming In LuaGuide to Lua by its creators. (partly out of date)

Introductions to Concepts

What are GUIs?This very in-depth guide explains what GUIs are.

Intro to WeaponsAn intro into the scripting of Weapons in Roblox.

ROBLOX Scripting How To: Data PersistenceWhat is data persistence?

Data Persistence TutorialA tutorial on understanding and using data persistence in your places.

Using Vector3 ValuesShows how to use math with Vector3s.

Using LeaderboardsCreating your own leaderboards.

Random NumbersStopping the same thing from happening each time.

How To Make PluginsShows how you can make your own Roblox Studio toolbars and buttons.

Using ToolsCreating your own tools.

Using HopperBinsThe older version of tools, HopperBins.

Using String PatternsWhat string patterns are and how to use them.

Reference

ScriptingAn overview of scripting in Roblox, and a portal for in-depth articles.

FunctionsA list of all the global functions.

Class ReferenceAll the types of Roblox Instances.

Lua 5.1 Reference ManualOfficial definition of the Lua language. (some features not available in Roblox)

Example Scripts

CookbookLarge list of small example scripts

Creating a BrickBasic tutorial on creating a brick using a script.

IS:What is Debounce?Explains what a debounce is, and what it's used for.

Making a Healing PotionThe Intro to Scripting series, how to Heal or Damage a Humanoid.

Make a Dance FloorChanging the color of a brick, and create simple loops.

Make an Invisibility ToolShows how to create Tools and turn yourself invisible.

Creating Restricted DoorsShows how to create a door that only certain people can enter.

One-way DoorsHow to create doors that go only one direction.

Making Glow ScriptsMaking objects glow, with more complex loops.

How to TeleportAn overview of teleportation of players.

Making an OnClicked ScriptShows how to use the Mouse to trigger weapons.

How to Make Regenerating ModelsShows how to use variables to remove and create new models, even if they've been destroyed.

Using SoundsShows how to use events and work with Sounds.

How to Add Messages to Your PlaceShows how to use scripts to work with the Message object.

Using BodyPositionDetails how to use the BodyPosition object.

How to Build a CatapultA guide for medieval mayhem.

Using PlayerAddedHow to use the PlayerAdded event.

How to Create Talking CommandsA guide on how to use the Chatted event.

How to Make an ElevatorHow to make bricks move up and down in time.

How to Make MorphsCreating Morphs for your players.

How to Make Multi-Handle toolsCreating tools with more than one brick for a handle.

Money and Shop ScriptsHow to create an economy for your place.

Creating Black HolesShows how to simulate gravity fields in lots of objects.

How to make text on a brickHow to make words appear above a brick.

TeleportationHow to move characters to different positions.

How to Make Weapon Giving TeleportersMoving characters and giving them weapons.

How to Make Conveyor BeltsParts that move other parts.

How to Make RampsUsing CFrame to rotate parts.

How to Make LavaParts that hurt characters when touched.

How to Make CirclesUsing CFrame to arrange parts in a circle.

How to Make a Spiral StaircaseUsing CFrame to arrange parts in a spiral.