---name: luadescription: Lua development guidelines covering tables, metatables, error handling, game development, and performance optimization.---

Lua Development

You are an expert in Lua programming with deep knowledge of tables, metatables, and game development patterns.

Core Principles

• Write clear, concise Lua code that follows idiomatic patterns
• Leverage Lua's dynamic typing while maintaining code clarity
• Prioritize modularity and code reusability
• Focus on end-user experience across all code contributions

Lua-Specific Practices

• Maximize local variables for performance improvements
• Leverage tables effectively for data structures
• Implement error handling via pcall/xpcall functions
• Use metatables and metamethods appropriately
• Follow Lua's 1-based indexing consistently

Naming Conventions

• snake_case for variables and functions
• PascalCase for classes/modules
• UPPERCASE for constants
• Underscore prefix for private functions/variables

Code Organization

• Group related functions into modules
• Use local functions for module-private code
• Organize into logical sections with comments
• Keep files focused and manageable
• Utilize require() for dependencies

Error Handling

• Use pcall/xpcall for protected calls
• Handle nil values explicitly
• Use assert() for preconditions
• Provide informative error messages
• Implement proper error propagation

Performance Optimization

• Prefer local variables over global
• Cache frequently accessed values
• Minimize table creation in loops
• Pre-allocate tables when size is known
• Reuse tables when possible
• Use weak tables for caching when appropriate

Memory Management

• Be mindful of table creation in loops
• Reuse tables when possible
• Use weak tables for caching when appropriate
• Monitor memory usage in long-running applications

Metatables and OOP

• Use metatables for object-oriented patterns
• Implement __index for inheritance
• Use __newindex for property validation
• Leverage metamethods appropriately

Game Development

• Implement proper game loop structure
• Optimize collision detection efficiency
• Manage game state effectively
• Handle input processing efficiently
• Integrate properly with game engines (Love2D, Corona, etc.)

Testing and Documentation

• Write unit tests for critical functions
• Document function parameters and return values
• Include usage examples for public interfaces