mote files, can we pick and choose?

Hi 

I have been in the process of writing my own lua's for a while, converting from xml.  It's slow going because I'm trying to learn lua as I go, and trying to incorporate certain xml abilities into my luas so that I'm not missing/losing any functionality.  

When I was using spellcast I never used any of the include files.  I have continued with the same approach with Lua.  I understand that their purpose is to eliminate the repetition of certain rules, to have them located in 1 place rather than having to copy/paste them in each and every lua we make.  I never looked at the xml include file so I have no idea what was in it, but I did look at the Mote-Include.lua and it was pretty much greek.  Way too advanced for me at this juncture.

I came across the Mote-Utility.lua though, as I'm trying to find the rules related to day/night items so I can utilize my Fenrir's earring.  I was looking through this Utility and while I understand the intent of the rules and could roughly follow them, some of it was new to me.  For example 

local world_elements = S{world.day_element}

I'm not familiar with any of this coding, such as 'local' and s{world.day_element), but I understood the rule as a whole.  Similarly I recognize that s{world...} is similar in structure to T{'Idle',Resting'} that exist in my current code and although I dont know what it means I get what it does.

Long story short, is it possible to use this Utility file and not the other Mote-files?  I'm not sure if all files are linked to each other and prevent this or not.  I'm not sure if certain part of rules such as 'local' and other stuff does or needs (such as additional supporting files), but I'm trying to learn so I can write my lua's with greater intelligence.

Thanks for anyone's input.

I came across the Mote-Utility.lua though, as I'm trying to find the rules related to day/night items so I can utilize my Fenrir's earring.  I was looking through this Utility and while I understand the intent of the rules and could roughly follow them, some of it was new to me.  For example 

local world_elements = S{world.day_element}

I'm not familiar with any of this coding, such as 'local' and s{world.day_element), but I understood the rule as a whole.  Similarly I recognize that s{world...} is similar in structure to T{'Idle',Resting'} that exist in my current code and although I dont know what it means I get what it does.

The "local" keyword restricts a variable to a certain function. Look at this:
 

foo = function()
    x = 3
end
 
foo()
 
print(x)

This will print "3", because you called the function "foo", which sets x to 3. Now look at this:

foo = function()
    local x = 3
end
 
foo()
 
print(x)

This will print "nil", because x was marked "local" to that function. So it does not exist outside of that function anymore. Once the function finished running, "x" will be whatever it was before the function. Here is another example:

foo = function()
    local x = 3
    print(x)
end
 
x = 2
 
foo()
 
print(x)

t1 = { } -- Empty table
t2 = { 1, 2, 3 } -- Table containing 3 numbers
t3 = { main = "Mandau", head = "Hecatomb Cap +1" } -- Table containing 2 strings ("Mandau" and "Hecatomb Cap +1", that are being attached to the string keys "main" and "head"

Long story short, is it possible to use this Utility file and not the other Mote-files?  I'm not sure if all files are linked to each other and prevent this or not.  I'm not sure if certain part of rules such as 'local' and other stuff does or needs (such as additional supporting files), but I'm trying to learn so I can write my lua's with greater intelligence.

I'm not sure I'm afraid (I have notified Motenten to this post, he will know for sure).

Awesome, thank you both.  I have some carpet being installed so I'll have limited access Wed/Thur.  Afterwards I'll be able to dig deeper into the Utility.  I may need some more help Arcon on understanding that, but I could only give it a quick view since the wife is going to sleep.  Hopefully taking more time later will let it sink in    Nite

Arcon you did forget to say that

foo =function() is equal to function foo()

I hate the second version and no one should be using that ever :\ Lua is stupid for even allowing it.