---
name: "lua-any"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lua-any"
version: "33"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lua-any"
---

# lua-any(1)

Helper script for multi-Lua-version shebang lines

## NAME

**lua-any** - Helper script for multi-Lua-version shebang lines

## DESCRIPTION

**Some Lua scripts work with multiple versions of Lua but not all** **of them. The upstream author of the software may hence have chosen** **the loose shebang line:**

```
                #!/usr/bin/env lua
```

**In Debian /usr/bin/lua is a valid Lua interpreter but it is** **under the control of the user, that can set its value to the Lua** **version of its choice, even one that is not able to run the script** **in question.**

**lua-any is a helper that understands metadata written in comments** **and selects a valid Lua interpreter. Example:**

```
                #!/usr/bin/env lua-any
                -- Lua-Versions: 5.1 5.2
```

**lua-any tests in turn the existence of lua5.1 and lua5.2 and** **executes the script with the first existing interpreter.**

## SYNTAX

**lua-any looks only at the first 10 lines of the script for metadata,** **i.e. it processes the file trough the head utility.**

**The format of a line is essentially key:value, where leading and** **trailing spaces are removed from value. The key is matched in a case** **insensitive way. The Lua comment, --, must have no leading spaces.**

**The following keys are supported:**

- **Lua-Versions**

  **Space separated list of Lua versions.**

- **Lua-Root**

  **The common root of all interpreters. By default its value** **is /usr/bin/lua. Each Lua version selected in Lua-Versions** **is simply appended to it in order to obtain the full name** **of the interpreter.**

- **Lua-Args**

  **Extra arguments to be passed to Lua interpreters, like** **-l lfs. By default this is empty.**

## DEBIAN NOTES

**A package using lua-any should declare its dependencies on Lua** **interpreters using a disjunction. Example:**

```
                Depends: lua-any, lua5.1 | lua5.2
```

## AUTHOR

**Enrico Tassi \<gareuselesinge@debian.org\>**