Lua源码阅读顺序
1. lmathlib.c, lstrlib.c:
get familiar with the external C API. Don't bother with the pattern matcher though. Just the easy functions.
2. lapi.c:
Check how the API is implemented internally. Only skim this to get a feeling for the code. Cross-reference to lua.h and luaconf.h as needed.
3. lobject.h:
tagged values and object representation. skim through this first. you'll want to keep a window with this file open all the time.
4. lstate.h:
state objects. ditto.
5. lopcodes.h:
bytecode instruction format and opcode definitions. easy.
6. lvm.c:
scroll down to luaV_execute, the main interpreter loop. see how all of the instructions are implemented. skip the details for now. reread later.
7. ldo.c:
calls, stacks, exceptions, coroutines. tough read.
8. lstring.c:
string interning. cute, huh?
9. ltable.c:
hash tables and arrays. tricky code.
10. ltm.c:
metamethod handling, reread all of lvm.c now.
11. lapi.c
12. ldebug.c:
surprise waiting for you. abstract interpretation is used to find object names for tracebacks. does bytecode verification, too.
13. lparser.c, lcode.c:
recursive descent parser, targetting a register-based VM. start from chunk() and work your way through. read the expression parser and the code generator parts last.
14. lgc.c:
incremental garbage collector. take your time.
Read all the other files as you see references to them. Don't let your stack get too deep though.