LuaInstaller

Overview

The toolset available here aids in the process to download, build and install Lua versions on Windows, downloading Lua source code directly from https://lua.org.

Table of Contents

• For End-Users
  • Setup
  • Running
• For Developers
  • Running from the command line
• Contributors

For End-Users

Setup

Tip

Among all the possible versions of Visual Studio, Visual Studio Community edition or Visual Studio Build Tools are the preferred choices for individuals.

1. Visit https://visualstudio.microsoft.com, download and install the most recent Microsoft Visual Studio C/C++ Build Tools for native desktop development (MSVC), together with the most recent Windows SDK for your operating system:

   • Step 1: In the startup screen of the latest Visual Studio Installer, switch to Individual components tab in the top;

   

   • Step 2: Search for Windows SDK;
   • Step 3: Select the most recent;

   

   • Step 4: Search for latest MSVC Build Tools;
   • Step 5: Select the latest MSVC build tools available;

   
   In the image below, the latest x86/x64 build tools was chosen because I am running a vanilla x64 Windows. If you are running 64-bit Windows on ARM, then tick the ARM64/ARM64EC build tools option.

   • Step 6: In the right panel, verify that the Individual components selection shows the latest Build Tools and Windows SDK;
   • Step 7: Hit Install button and await the installation.

   

2. Download and extract the latest LuaInstaller.EndUsers-*.zip from the Releases page anywhere on your computer;

Running

1. Run the app LuaInstaller.exe

Important

• If you want to install Lua on system-wide directories like C:\Program Files\Lua or C:\Program Files(x86)\Lua, close the program and open LuaInstaller.exe again as administrator (Run as Administrator);
• To set environment variables, you are also required to have admin privileges (Run as Administrator).

2. If everything was configured correctly, you should see each dropdown with at least one choice available:

Note

Only native builds of Lua are possible (no cross-compilation). This means that you are required to be running a 64-bit Windows on ARM to build Lua targeting the ARM64 architecture.

3. Make your choices and hit Install;
4. Verify that you can find lua.exe at FOLDER > bin, where FOLDER means the destination directory for Lua installation.

For Developers

• Are you looking for CI / CD content? check our CI examples here.

• Do you want to integrate it on your project? Read the docs.

Running from the command line

1. Download and extract the latest LuaInstaller.Console-*.zip that suits better your operating system from the Releases page anywhere on your computer;

2. Open a command prompt (cmd) and change directory to the folder of LuaInstaller.Console;

3. Install a required Lua version

   LuaInstaller.Console.exe install "version=5.4.8" "dest-dir=C:\Lua-5.4.8"

   

Important

• If you want to install Lua on system-wide directories like C:\Program Files\Lua or C:\Program Files(x86)\Lua, close the command prompt and open cmd again as administrator (Run as Administrator);
• To set environment variables, you are also required to have admin privileges on cmd (Run as Administrator).

4. Enjoy!

Contributors

Special thanks goes to warlockx for valuable suggestions and bug hunting in the beginning of this project.