Lua is intentionally very small ("doing more with less"). It has a lot in common with Python, Scheme, and Javascript, but was designed for embedding, and where

Lua is intentionally very small ("doing more with less"). It has a lot in common with Python, Scheme, and Javascript, but was designed for embedding, and where Python prioritizes "batteries included", it puts more emphasis on "small/simple/powerful". (If you're extending a C project, you've already got libraries.) The _Programming in Lua_ book is the best place to start. The previous version is free at http://www.lua.org http://www.lua.org and will give you a good impression. (The main diff between 5.0 and 5.1 is the module system.)