How to Install Lua and Bridge C with Lua on Ubuntu: Step‑by‑Step Guide

Installing Lua on Ubuntu

Before writing any code, install the Lua runtime and development headers:

sudo apt-get install lua5.1

sudo apt-get install lua5.1-0-dev

Verify the installation with lua -v to display the version.

Optionally, create a symbolic link for easier invocation:

ln -s lua5.1 lua

Part 1: Calling Lua Functions from C (Ubuntu)

1. Create add.c containing the C code that will embed Lua and call a Lua function.

2. Write the Lua function in add.lua (e.g., a simple addition function).

3. Compile the C program and link against the Lua library: gcc -o add add.c -I /usr/include/lua5.1 -llua5.1 The resulting add executable can be run to test the integration.

Part 2: Calling C Functions from Lua (Ubuntu)

1. Write a Lua script hello.lua that will load a C shared library.

2. Implement the C side in power_lua.c, exposing the desired function.

3. Build a shared object that Lua can load:

gcc -Wall -shared -fPIC -o power.so -I/usr/include/lua5.1 power_lua.c

This creates power.so in the current directory.

4. Run the Lua script: lua hello.lua The script loads power.so and calls the C function, displaying the expected result.