Provided by: lua5.2_5.2.4-1ubuntu1_amd64 
NAME
lua - Lua interpreter
SYNOPSIS
lua [ options ] [ script [ args ] ]
DESCRIPTION
lua is the standalone Lua interpreter. It loads and executes Lua programs, either in textual source form
or in precompiled binary form. (Precompiled binaries are output by luac, the Lua compiler.) lua can be
used as a batch interpreter and also interactively.
The given options are handled in order and then the Lua program in file script is loaded and executed.
The given args are available to script as strings in a global table named arg. If no options or
arguments are given, then -v -i is assumed when the standard input is a terminal; otherwise, - is
assumed.
In interactive mode, lua prompts the user, reads lines from the standard input, and executes them as they
are read. If a line does not contain a complete statement, then a secondary prompt is displayed and
lines are read until a complete statement is formed or a syntax error is found. If a line starts with
'=', then lua evaluates and displays the values of the expressions in the remainder of the line.
At the very start, before even handling the command line, lua checks the contents of the environment
variables LUA_INIT_5_2 or LUA_INIT, in that order. If the contents is of the form '@filename', then
filename is executed. Otherwise, the string is assumed to be a Lua statement and is executed.
OPTIONS
-e stat
execute statement stat.
-i enter interactive mode after executing script.
-l name
execute the equivalent of name=require('name') before executing script.
-v show version information.
-E ignore environment variables.
-- stop handling options.
- stop handling options and execute the standard input as a file.
SEE ALSO
luac(1) The documentation at lua.org, especially section 7 of the reference manual.
DIAGNOSTICS
Error messages should be self explanatory.
AUTHORS
R. Ierusalimschy, L. H. de Figueiredo, W. Celes
$Date: 2011/11/16 17:16:53 $ LUA5.2(1)