Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Wikipedia Chooses Lua As Its New Template Language

Posted by Unknown on from the mccarthy-seen-greenspunning-in-his-grave dept.

bonch writes "In an attempt to tackle the inefficient complexity of its current template system, Wikipedia will be adopting the Lua scripting language. Known most for its use in videogame scripting, particularly World of Warcraft, Lua is lightweight and designed for easy integration into existing applications. The transition is expected to begin after the release of MediaWiki 1.19, possibly in May." Basically, the template system started turning into an ugly programming language. There was debate over using Javascript or Lua; Lua ultimately won due to implementation concerns. The mailing list threads announcing the decision and discussing the change have further details.

7 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Stop delaying the inevitable. by MadKeithV · · Score: 5, Funny

    "the template system started turning into an ugly programming language" - ah, any sufficiently complex system eventually evolves to contain a limited, broken version of Common Lisp.
    Stop delaying the inevitable!

    1. Re:Stop delaying the inevitable. by goldaryn · · Score: 4, Funny

      "the template system started turning into an ugly programming language" - ah, any sufficiently complex system eventually evolves to contain a limited, broken version of Common Lisp. Stop delaying the inevitable!

      LEEEEEEEROOOY JEEEEEENKIIIIIIIIINNSSS

  2. Re:Lua by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Javascript is web scale. Lua is not web scale. Also: Lua comes from Brazil. You know what else comes from Brazil? Waxed balls. I wouldn't trust a programmer that waxes his balls. If he can't make good decisions involving his nutsack, can he make godo decisions involving language design? (Just look at PHP!)

  3. Re:Lua by james_van · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's a really valid argument. Im inclined to agree.

  4. Re:Sounds exciting by Talderas · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want a DPS meter addon for wikipedia.

    --
    "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
  5. Re:Lua by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    Lua is a terrible language. It is also an excellent language.

    FTFY (see WP:NPOV)

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  6. Re:Lua by glwtta · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wouldn't trust a programmer that waxes his balls. If he can't make good decisions involving his nutsack, can he make godo decisions involving language design?

    Seems like a perfectly good decision to me. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum, it's breathtaking; I suggest you try it.

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi