Where should I start if I want to learn how to script Lua on Roblox?

Hi Ducksneedhelp!

I had a similar issue to you.

For beginner scripters, it's best to start with something simple; like changing BrickColors, printing, etc. Work your way up and read/watch tutorials that actually TEACH you how the script works. if you have a script that is having an error, you can always ask this website. This will also help you understand why you made mistakes.

No script can be too complicated if you learn how they work. Here are some functions that will definitely be useful when scripting:

print(x) 

Print Function: Will print x in the output. This is mainly used for debugging, where the script is erroring.

Example

print("Hello!")

Output: Hello!

for i = x, y, z do
      print(i)
end

x = number it starts at; y = number it will end at; z = number it goes up/down by. Example

for i = 0, 10, 2 do
      print(i)
end

The value of "i" will start at 0, and it will keep going up by 2 until "i" reaches 10.

Output: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Instance.new(x, y)

This function, instance.new() makes a new instance, and becomes a child of y.

Example 1

Instance.new("Folder", game.ServerStorage)

This creates a Folder into the ServerStorage.

Example 2

Instance.new("BoolValue", game.ReplicatedStorage)

This creates a BoolValue (Boolean Value aka True or False statement) into ReplicatedStorage.

Here are simple, intermediate, and complicated scripts:

Simple: Change BrickColor

local part = script.Parent --Gets the part

part.BrickColor = BrickColor.new("New Yeller") --Changes the BrickColor of the part to the color "New Yeller"

Intermediate: Changing the Transparency of everything inside the model

local model = script.Parent --Gets the model
for i, v in pairs(model:GetChildren()) do --This `for i` function goes through everything inside the model, as it says `model:GetChildren()`. If you don't know what `:GetChildren()` means, it gets everything inside something. In this case, we get everything inside the model
	if v:IsA("Part") then --If the thing inside the model is a part. We use this to check if the current item inside the model is a part.
		v.Transparency = 1 --The transparency of the part becomes 1
	end
end

Complicated: Datastores

local ds = game:GetService("DataStoreService") --Gets Service of Datastores
local ds1 = ds:GetDataStore("CashDataStore") --Gets the Datastore with the name "CashDataStore"
local ds2 = ds:GetDataStore("WinsDataStore") --Gets the Datastore with the name "WinsDataStore"

game.Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(function(player) --When a player is added
	wait() --Makes sure it loads
	local stats = Instance.new("Folder") --Creates a folder
	stats.Name = "leaderstats" --The name of the folder is "leaderstats"
	stats.Parent = player --The parent of the leaderstats is player
	print("success") --Prints success
	
	local Cash = Instance.new("IntValue") --Makes a new IntValue, or Integer Value.
	Cash.Name = "Cash" --The name of the IntValue is Cash.
	Cash.Parent = stats --The parent of Cash is stats.
	Cash.Value = ds1:GetAsync(player.UserId) or 0 --If the player has played the game before, they will have a Cash Value already. But if they don't, they will have 0. (Due to the `or 0` part.)
	ds1:SetAsync(player.UserId, Cash.Value) --Sets the datastore of the specific player and the value of cash
	print(Cash.Value) --Prints the cash
	
	local Wins = Instance.new("IntValue") --Makes another IntValue
	Wins.Name = "Wins" --Name is Wins
	Wins.Parent = stats --parent is stats
	Wins.Value = ds2:GetAsync(player.UserId) or 0 --Again, gets the wins value of the player, or if they haven't played before, has 0.
	ds2:SetAsync(player.UserId, Wins.Value) --Sets value of the specific player and the number of wins.
	print(Wins.Value) --prints wins
	
	Cash.Changed:Connect(function() --when the value of Cash has changed
		ds1:SetAsync(player.UserId, Cash.Value) --Saves
	end)
	
	Wins.Changed:Connect(function() --When the value of Wins has changed
		ds2:SetAsync(player.UserId, Wins.Value) --Saves
	end)
end)

You can always go to this website to get more information.

Hope I helped, LennyPlayzYT