QtCS2024 Qt Creator meets Lua

Notes

• How to write extensions
• Why Lua (why not JS / Python)?
• Can export functions + types to lua
• Documentation...
• Async/coroutines
• How to add APIs..
• REPL in Qt Creator

Questions and feedback

How can a plugin developer explore the APIs available?

- the "lua/meta" files are documented with their APIs

Is there a lua JIT?

- There is (not official), but we don't use it.

The API Qt Creator exposes to Lua is limited

- Creator team is careful with adding APIs due to concerns of future API debt

- considering exposing QWidget APIs

- Which way is the best way to expose APIs?

  - auto-expose all of widgets?

  - be more selective?

- Security concerns (e.g. careful thought must be put in exposing file access and network access)

note: the documentation for the modules can also be found in the online documentation at:

https://doc.qt.io/qtcreator-extending/lua-extensions.html