How to build LuaJIT for Windows

how_to_build_luajit_for_windows.md

How to build 64-bit LuaJIT 2.1 binaries for Windows

1. Download the latest LuaJIT sources

   • Create temporary folder for LuaJIT sources.
     I assume you would use C:\Temp\ folder.

   • Download and install Portable "Git for Windows"

   • Run git-cmd.exe, a console window will open.

   • Execute the following commands in this console window:
     cd /d C:\Temp\
git clone https://luajit.org/git/luajit.git
cd luajit
git checkout v2.1

   • Close the console window.
     Now you have LuaJIT 2.1 sources in the folder C:\Temp\luajit\

   • You can uninstall "Git for Windows" application now.
     It's portable, so just remove its folder.

2. Build LuaJIT binaries using MinGW64

   • Download and install MSYS2.
     It is recommended to install MSYS2 in the default destination folder C:\msys64\,
     but you may choose another path consisting of English letters without spaces.

   • After installation is complete, a MSYS2 console window will open.
     Execute the following command in this MSYS2 console window:
     pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-gcc mingw-w64-x86_64-make
     When asked Proceed with installation? [Y/n], answer Y and press Enter.

   • Close this MSYS2 console window and open a new one by clicking the MSYS2 MinGW 64-bit menu item in Windows Start menu.
     Execute the following commands in the new MSYS2 window:
     cd /c/Temp/luajit/
mingw32-make CFLAGS=-DLUAJIT_ENABLE_LUA52COMPAT

   • Close the MSYS2 console window.

   • You can uninstall MSYS2 application now at Control Panel -> Programs and Features.

3. Take LuaJIT binaries

   • Open folder C:\Temp\luajit\src\
     Sort files by "Date Modified".

   • Find 2 files: luajit.exe and lua51.dll among the most recently modified.

   • Take these 2 files and put them to the folder where Lua binaries should be on your system.

   • You can remove LuaJIT sources now.
     Delete folder C:\Temp\luajit\