Questions to experienced Lua Coders - Developers

Hi! I got introduced to Gmod a... well I guess 1 year ago, and a couple of months later I discovered the fantastic language; Lua. I've been kinda struggling with my small, crappy scripts, my minor DarkRP modifications and my basic Derma Menus, but I'm getting the hang of it :) Anyways; I noticed that alot of you guys are OLD, lol. I mean, either you're working at a... okay, I've spend 5 minutes trying to find something to call the company, but my point is; either your job-profession is coding related*, or you're a college student and I'm like, 15 years old and go to school, but I'm really fascinated by Lua, but anyways - here goes my questions; *[QUOTE=UberMensch;20797754][B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] IT&Comms Tech (aka network admin) [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Teddi Orange;20797754][b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] Network manager / Computer repairs [/QUOTE] [b]1.[/b] How old were you when you started learning Lua? - [b]2.[/b] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - [b]3.[/b] How long have you been coding for? - [b]4.[/b] What's your occupation? - [b]5.[/b] Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? - [b]6,1[/b] How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) - [b]6,2[/b] What projects did you do in order to learn? - [b]7,1[/b] Should I buy Lua books? - [b]7,2[/b] Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant) - *-----------------------> At the moment, this is all the questions I can come up with; [b]please[/b], take your time and answer them. Thanks in advance!

I don't really feel like answering the first 4, but suffice to say I'm just in high school. 5. It depends how old you are. If you aren't even into high school yet (9th year) then I honestly have doubts that you'll really truly understand what you're doing. You might still be able to piece it together, but you need a deeper understanding of it before you can do much. 6.1 Honestly, this really just beats the hell out of me. I was messing around with various projects, trying to get a gun vending machine to work, and I was reading the GMod wiki. I was just sitting around reading through some stuff, went back to some old code, and suddenly just understood the flow of information. As soon as that happened, I realized how all the wiki functions worked, and I've just been running since then. I've only looked at some syntax since then, such as the different formats of a table. PiL has only helped me a little. I got most of my knowledge from the wiki starter tutorials ( [URL]http://wiki.garrysmod.com/?title=Lua_Tutorial_Series[/URL] ) and the rest of the content on the wiki. Learn some of the libraries and it'll make more sense. I also got a lot from staring at code, most of which didn't work, ironically enough. It's worth saying that I've been exposed to some code before now in other game engines, particularly the oblivion and morrowind scripting stuff, but never lua before. I don't think knowing another language is essential to learning lua. 6.2 Like I said, the gun vending machine was suprising challenging for someone who didn't know how to do lua. It was part of a much larger, now defunct project, and I looked at a little of the other code, but none of it was as educational as that vending machine. I think it had to do with the passing information from client to server. Now that I understand more, I realize that I could have made it again in a matter of seconds. After I worked on that, I got back into mapping for a while before I picked up GCombat 2. I got interested in it, and participated in a ton of ideas/brainstorming sessions, and helped work out a lot of documents on how everything fit together. Ironically enough, I had no intention of coding lua. It just happened that the other lua coders stopped working for other reasons, so I started. The primary damage file is called "Printlet.lua". Why? It was originally just a console command to print the entity id of whatever you were looking at. A few lines at most. I continually added onto it, and it's several hundred lines long, now, along with several supporting internal files, lots of entities, and a few STools (look at existing STools and the library for them if you want to learn how to make them). For me, it's just happened as I keep going. The one thing I really have going for me is an urge to keep everything as orderly and simplified as possible, and the urge to "Do it Right". I don't take shortcuts to getting my code to work. 7 - You don't need to buy a book for lua, in all honesty. PiL is free, anyways. I haven't released anything, if that's what you're wondering, but I am working on a project, and I've been at lua for about 6 months now. My first exposure to it was about a year and a half ago, but at that point I wasn't very interested in it. And this should have gone in LUA Newbie Questions.

[QUOTE=Morcam;20785440]I don't really feel like answering the first 4, but suffice to say I'm just in high school. --------- And this should have gone in LUA Newbie Questions.[/QUOTE] Actually, I would (*edit*: was -.-) hoping you'd answer atleast the 4 first questions, just to get a point of view on, how much it could take me to well, get to be kind of an advanced scripter, or so, but thanks for replying anyways! :) --- and I realized this morning

1. 17. 2. I'm still only intermediate at 19 since everything so far has been self-taught and I can't stand debugging. 3. A year and a half. 4. It isn't anything in the programming division. 5. It depends how dedicated you are to learning it. I know tons of people that are more skilled than me in various trades that are years younger than me. 6. I learned from reading the wiki and reading other people's code. I've made a few shitty SWEPs, a few SENTs, admin scripts, and so far a single STOOL (which is the only thing I've released aside from my ill-fated Blade Spirits SENT.) 7. No and no. You can, but it's not worth the time or money.

[QUOTE=Busymonkey;20784685][b]1.[/b] How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/quote] 16, same as now. [quote] [b]2.[/b] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? [/quote] Experienced in Lua? lulz. Sure, I can do some things (simple scripts), but I have background experience in other languages. [quote] [b]3.[/b] How long have you been coding for? [/quote] I learned C in 6th or 7th grade. [quote] [b]4.[/b] What's your occupation? [/quote] Officially? High school Sophomore. [quote] [b]5.[/b] Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? [/quote] [quote] I learned C in 6th or 7th grade. [/quote] [quote] [b]6,1[/b] How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) [/quote] The same way I learned everything else - followed the examples in the book, while changing some elements around (i.e., I have NEVER written a "Hello World", but I have written a "Goodbye World") [quote] [b]6,2[/b] What projects did you do in order to learn? [/quote] Server prop limit changer comes to mind. [quote] [b]7,1[/b] Should I buy Lua books? [b]7,2[/b] Can I find a Lua book online? [/quote] Free online docs.

[B]1.[/B] How old were you when you started learning Lua? - 12 [B]2.[/B] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - 1-2 year's [B]3.[/B] How long have you been coding for? - about 3 and a half year [B]4.[/B] What's your occupation? - School [B]5.[/B] Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? - If you want to do something, do it from the moment you can [B]6,1[/B] How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) - self learned, readed wiki, then tested, debuged in an loop [B]6,2[/B] What projects did you do in order to learn? - random stuff, menus some weapons. [B]7,1[/B] Should I buy Lua books? - No [B]7,2[/B] Can I find a Lua book online? - You can, but its a waste of money

1. How old were you when you started learning Lua? - 15 2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - 6 or 7 months 3. How long have you been coding for? - Year and a half 4. What's your occupation? - Unemployed / high school 5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? - No such thing 6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) - Bugged Chrisaster with questions + wiki 6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn? - Made whatever I wanted, from a music player to a chat encrypter 7,1 Should I buy Lua books? - I never have 7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant) - I never have.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] 15 [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] 3 - 4 months [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] 3 years in Lua, 5 years over all. [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] University student [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] No such thing [B]6,1. How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] Read PiL and Wiki :smile: (That is actually how I did it). [B]6,2. What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] Random crap. [B]7,1. Should I buy Lua books?[/B] Definitely not. [B]7,2. Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] PiL

I don't release any of my stuff so I'm relatively unknown as a Lua coder. [B] 1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/B] 16 [B]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/B] Still learning stuff even now. [B]3. How long have you been coding for?[/B] 4 years [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] IT&Comms Tech (aka network admin) [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] Start off early! [B]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] I looked at other scripts (LightRP in Gmod10 Lua, GmodCentral's SGPRP for Gmod9). Most of the challenge was learning the syntax of what characters did what and why. [B]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] I've written two RP scripts, an admin mod, a sourcemod compatibility thing and a lot of random snippets which do various things. Currently working on an RSS feed parser. [B]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/B] No real need, but it depends how you learn. If you prefer to learn by doing, I wouldn't bother with a book and just use the wiki. [B]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] There's a guide called Programming in Lua ([url]http://www.lua.org/pil/[/url]).

Im glad to see a few of the pro-coders (imo) throwing in their contribution :) Thanks to all who replied! :) Replies are still welcome!

[B]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/B] 16 [B]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/B] Around three months [B]3. How long have you been coding for?[/B] 6-7 years in a few languages [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] Network manager / Computer repairs [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] The younger you start, the easier it is to learn [B]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] PiL, and looking at other scripts. The wiki did sort of help, but truth is, you just need to keep at it until it clicks. [B]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] Admin mods, Roleplay mods, just anything [B]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/B] No [B]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] [url]www.lua.org/pil[/url] .

[QUOTE=Busymonkey;20795299]Actually, I would (*edit*: was -.-) hoping you'd answer atleast the 4 first questions, just to get a point of view on, how much it could take me to well, get to be kind of an advanced scripter, or so, but thanks for replying anyways! :) --- and I realized this morning[/QUOTE] [B]1.[/B] How old were you when you started learning Lua? -15 [B]2.[/B] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - About 3 months [B]3.[/B] How long have you been coding for? - About 6 months [B]4.[/B] What's your occupation? - None There.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] - 20 [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] - 5 years [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] - 8 years [b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] - Contractual Programmer [b]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/b] - There is such a thing as learning too early. I recommended start at about 15 - 16. But only on a casual basis, do not let it ruin your social/schooling life as this is very important. [b]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/b] - I knew many other languages, its just another language with similar aspects. [b]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/b] - I didn't need to learn Lua, but in a general programming arena, console based programs are the best. Write youself a guess the number game, tic tac toe etc etc. Then go back and rewrite them using new techniques you have learned. Such as OOP. [b]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/b] - No, go buy a book that has "Beginning" and "Programming" in the title. They usually cover the basics of more than one language. Then choose the one you like, buy a intermediate level book and start learning that. After thoroughly learning 1 language, you can pick others up much faster. [b]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/b] - I don't recommend this, having a physical book is a much better learning experience.

[B]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/B] - 15 [B]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/B] - I don't consider myself advanced, because I can learn something new every day. I'll be advanced when there's nothing more to learn. [B]3. How long have you been coding for?[/B] - I learned Java & C# when I was roughly 10 years old. [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] - Officially? None [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] - If I can handle a bit of Java & C# at the age of 10, then Lua is simplistic as hell. You aren't going to be spending hours looking for a missing ';' at the end of a line. [B]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] - I looked at gamemodes for Gmod 10 and 9. NoXiousNet posted the entire Gmod 9 source code, making it really useful when trying to code for 10. I sort of convert bits and pieces to Gmod 10, then compare the code. [B]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] - I code/coded for my server every chance I got; only adding an addon/tool when I fully understood how it worked. [B]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/B] - I guess you could get them from a Library, but Pil is the first edition of [I]Programming in Lua.[/I] [B]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] - [I]Programming in Lua (first edition) This is an online version of the first edition of the book Programming in Lua by Roberto Ierusalimschy Lua.org, December 2003 ISBN 85-903798-1-7 [/I] If you want to get started, start playing around with stuff that you like, and see how it runs. When I ran through the Pil, I created a lua file and manually typed a ton of examples, commented them, and basically got the rules down that way. It might not float your boat, but try to keep stuff like that fresh. Always review basic rules if your coming back from a break from Lua, or you might forget something stupid(I reverted to if (blah) { blah } rather than if (blah) then).

1. 13 - 2. 1 year, I wouldnt say I'm an amazing coder but I'm certainly capable. - 3. 1 year. - 4. Underage = no job I'm afraid :/ - 5. No such thing :smile: - 6,1 Wanted to make an RP gamemode (lol) so I read wiki tuts and then over time I would just set some obscure goal for a script, learn how to do it by asking people and reading the wiki, and over time you just pick up a memorized library of functions and hooks through continued use. - 6,2 Gamemodes, clientside hacking (I R 1337 Y37 F47H3R?), random scripts, coding projects and collaborative efforts. - 7,1 If you really want to understand the syntax like a bawse yes, but I never read any Lua books, mainly because the only important similarities between Lua scripting independently and Lua scripting in Garrysmod is the syntax, which is easy to learn because its not hardcode. - 7,2 Yeah there are some books online, but they really arent necessary for Lua in Garrysmod.

3. 4+~ years. 4. System Developer

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] 15 [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] Maybe a year or less. [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] 2 years of Lua, 5 years in total. [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] Student (=unemployed) [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] No such thing. [B]6,1. How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] Mostly by reading scripts from more experienced coders, I've only read PiL and Wiki to check the syntax for some functions. [B]6,2. What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] Mostly random stuff and one [url=http://www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=45393]failed HUD[/url] [B]7,1. Should I buy Lua books?[/B] Nope. [B]7,2. Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] PiL.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] Eighteen. - [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] A little while but i screwed around with a lot of other languages before Lua. - [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] 2-3 years. - [b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] Chef. - [b]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/b] As long as your not arrogant and are willing to take suggestions when you ask for help you should be fine. - [b]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/b] Read the wiki, read the source code of other scripts, started writing random stuff. - [b]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/b] I made an aimbot, a chatbox, and admin mod and then converted the admin mod to MySQL. Then i just made whatever i wanted from then on. - [b]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/b] Pil and the wiki are sufficient enough. - [b]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/b] Read the source code for other scripts, but try to refrain from copy and pasting.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] 15. [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] A bit longer than a year, although I don't consider myself experienced enough yet. [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] I've been coding Lua for a little over 1,5 years and other languages for more than 3 years. [B]4. What's your occupation?[/B] Delivering ads to people. [B]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/B] Not at all, you just need to know what you're getting in to. Getting good at Lua is going to take some work. [B]6,1. How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/B] I started by looking at other people's code, then I read the PiL and then I started knowing all the functions, hooks, constants by heart. [B]6,2. What projects did you do in order to learn?[/B] I started out with [url=http://www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=52065]a gamemode[/url] and after that I haven't really made anything to learn new things. I mostly learn new things by coding simple autorun scripts and then I proceed to use the new stuff in addons. [B]7.1. Should I buy Lua books?[/B] No, you really don't need a book. [B]7.2. Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/B] That's what the PiL is for.

[QUOTE=Busymonkey;20784685] * [b]1.[/b] How old were you when you started learning Lua? - [b]2.[/b] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - [b]3.[/b] How long have you been coding for? - [b]4.[/b] What's your occupation? - [b]5.[/b] Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? - [b]6,1[/b] How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) - [b]6,2[/b] What projects did you do in order to learn? - [b]7,1[/b] Should I buy Lua books? - [b]7,2[/b] Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant) - *-----------------------> At the moment, this is all the questions I can come up with; [b]please[/b], take your time and answer them. Thanks in advance![/QUOTE] 1. 15. Started learning about a year ago. 2. I'm not sure... define experienced? I'm good at what i do (advanced SWeps), but other than this, I'm pretty restricted. 3. See 1. 4. Student. 5. Never too early for you to learn (assuming you can think properly, so obviously unless you have a much more highly developed brain, before 10 might be too early). 6.1. I learnt it by studying examples to find how to code, then starting to make my own stuff. My main project (one that I've been working on since I started) is a sword: at first, all the person had done was replace the CSS knife with a katana, made the hands black, and in terms of coding, shoot a bullet if something was in front of you. I just learnt by continuously adding features until I am satisfied with it (since i'm still not). Basically, the best way is to find something you really want to make, find a decent base that you can understand, fiddle about a bit so you understand what does what, use the Wiki for help with individual commands, and just keep at it. 6.2. See 6.1. I obviously worked from a very basic SWEP into what I have now. And Gmod wiki was used for help with certain commands. 7.1. If you're lazy or have some cash to throw around, by all means, go for it. I myself hated it, but that's purely subjective. 7.2. No idea, sorry.

[b]1.[/b] How old were you when you started learning Lua? 22. [b]2.[/b] How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? Still working on it. [b]3.[/b] How long have you been coding for? 12 years. [b]4.[/b] What's your occupation? Supervisor of Transportation. [b]5.[/b] Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? If your mind has developed to a point where you can understand basic programming concepts then you're old enough. [b]6,1[/b] How did you learn Lua? Picked through code and cross referenced a lot of it with the wiki and other syntax glossarys. Loads of trail and error. [b]6,2[/b] What projects did you do in order to learn? Every project is a learning project. [b]7,1[/b] Should I buy Lua books? I personally don't like reading books, its up to you.

1. How old were you when you started learning Lua? - 12 or 13 2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? - 1-2 years 3. How long have you been coding for? - 5-7 years 4. What's your occupation? - Student in high school 5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? - Wasn't too early for me. 6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) - I made my own TacoScript 1 server. Continually updated and revised the code. Of course, that was the winter before last (I think), so it doesn't work today - see [url]http://luaforfood.com/scriptology.htm[/url] . I still lookup functions and such at the wiki in common practice. 6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn? - See above. I did a lot of gamemodes, all in the scriptology, and that pretty much covers effects, SENTs, and SWEPs. 7,1 Should I buy Lua books? - I didn't 7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant) - PiL, but that's probably been mentioned

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] 13. [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] 1 and a half years I think. [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] I guess 3 years. [b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] School. [b]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/b] There is no such thing as being too young to learn. I'm a prime example of that. [b]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/b] Studying scripts made by other coders, wiki. [b]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/b] Lots. First ones were shitty, but they learned me a lot: [b]Frag Grenade Launcher[/b] and [b]Crowbar Fight[/b]. Then I got better and made [b]FortwarsX[/b]. I participated in a Lua gamemode coding contest and [b]won with Grand Theft Painting (50$!)[/b]. After that, I was kinda at "max level" and I'm still at this stage. I participated in the Fretta contest with [b]Gamemaster.[/b] I have lots of unreleased projects laying around. See my Youtube account for some unreleased addons (I'll try to release them ASAP). [b]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/b] No. Internet is the way to go. [b]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/b] Don't ask me.

Im glad to see all the contributions who has been giving, in such short amount of time :) Thank you all for replying :)

1. How old were you when you started learning Lua? 18 2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder? Years. 3. How long have you been coding for? I don't much anymore, I may tinker but 5 years. 4. What's your occupation? 6 Years in college for my MD. 5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing? Early is better, more time. 6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?) I stumble on a class at a local college. I learned of a game called garry's mod from a student in the class. 6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn? I started out with a role play game mode and then went to administrative mod. 7,1 Should I buy Lua books? Lua is different in garry's mod it seems, limited... Some things you learn from a book might not be able to be used. 7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant) Not for free, Wikipedia provided by Garry.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] 11. [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] Not there yet. [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] Lua for 4 years, totally 9 years. [b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] School. [b]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/b] Personally i started working with programming at the age of 6, so there is no such thing as to early. [b]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/b] Using the reference manual, reading code, lots and lots of experimenting. [b]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/b] Lots and lots of random crap, mostly to experiment with the API Garry has provided us. [b]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/b] Personally i have never read a hard copy book, so i'll leave it to others to comment upon. [b]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/b] PIL obiviously.

[b]1. How old were you when you started learning Lua?[/b] - 14 I think. [b]2. How long did it take you to become like an experienced coder?[/b] - About 6 months in lua where I could do most things without thinking too hard. Other languages is still a struggle and always will be. [b]3. How long have you been coding for?[/b] -4 years. [b]4. What's your occupation?[/b] -Student [b]5. Do you think it's too early for me to learn, or is there no such thing?[/b] -Its never too early as long as you are willing to put in the effort. [b]6,1 How did you learn Lua? (Please dont just say "Read the PiL and Wiki", no: How did YOU do it?)[/b] -Mostly hashed code from other peoples projects/gamemodes. I didn't release any of it of course but just experimented with it. [b]6,2 What projects did you do in order to learn?[/b] -I think it was a melon that followed you around then healed you if you were its owner and killed you if you weren't when it touched a player. Then made a gamemode out of them was buggy as hell and mostly hashed code from other people but it was a good leaning experience. Then I made Onslaught Evolved. [b]7,1 Should I buy Lua books?[/b] -No don't bother the documentation on the wiki and questions you can ask on the forums are more than enough. [b]7,2 Can I find a Lua book online? (Read it for free online, is what I meant)[/b] -The lua documentation is here: [url]http://www.lua.org/docs.html[/url] but don't rely on it too much just start off with a simple SENT or gamemode. By the way, don't bother with too much derma right now. It can be tricky to someone learning (well I found it hard to learn), I found it much easier to just focus on raw gameplay and using simple chat commands while I was learning and leave the clientside stuff last. That is if you want to make gamemodes. My best advice is finding something you like to do in sandbox and trying to make a basic gamemode framework for it. I played with the NPC spawner platforms and wooden houses a lot so I thought why can't I make a proper gamemode out of this, and I did and had a lot of fun playing and learning from it.