---
name: "lua5.2"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lua52"
version: "5.2.4-8"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lua5.2"
---

# lua5.2(1)

Lua interpreter

## 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)](/luac/1.md)\
 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