In Lua, interfaces are not a built-in language feature. However, we can simulate similar behavior using tables and metatables. Here’s how we can implement the concept of geometric shapes:
In this Lua implementation:
We define rect and circle as tables with their own methods, simulating classes.
The new function for each shape acts as a constructor, using setmetatable to set up the metatable for method lookup.
We implement area and perim methods for both shapes.
The measure function takes any object that has area and perim methods, simulating an interface.
In the main function, we create instances of rect and circle and pass them to measure.
To run this program, save it as geometry.lua and use:
This example demonstrates how we can achieve interface-like behavior in Lua using tables and metatables. While it’s not as strict as interfaces in statically-typed languages, it provides a flexible way to work with different types that share common behavior.