SCRIPTING: Should I use the . prefix for function or the inbuilt function variable?

Help and Feedback Scripting Support
1

Hi! I am wondering this:

Should I use the . PREFIX for function variables OR the studio INBUILT function variable?
Most of the people (may be you too) wont understand what I mean by that, And here is an example:

local module = {}

return module

This is a basic module script, Now if I we’re to make a function, What way should I do?

Option 1: The basic way

local module = {}

function module.MyFunction()
	print("My function!")
end	

return module

OR

Option 2: The prefix

local module = {}

module.MyFunction = function()
	print("My function WITH . prefix!")
end

return module

Both options are the same (ATLEAST to my knowledge)
But I want YOUR opinions first.

1 Like
2

just readability and semantics, its completely subjective. i use both in various situations, but primarily option 1 because its more coherent with other modern languages.

1 Like
3

I prefer option 1

4

As per the Official Roblox Lua Style Guide, there are specific patterns you should follow when defining functions in modules or tables.

When declaring a function inside a table, you should use the function-prefix syntax. It is also important to differentiate between . and : to denote the intended calling convention.

:white_check_mark: GOOD

-- This function should be called as Frobulator.new()
function Frobulator.new()
    return {}
end

-- This function should be called as Frobulator:frob()
function Frobulator:frob()
    print("Frobbing", self)
end

:cross_mark: BAD

function Frobulator.garb(self)
    print("Frobbing", self)
end

Frobulator.jarp = function()
    return {}
end

:red_question_mark: Why does this matter?

So TL;DR – Option 1.

1 Like
5

These both behave the same, but you can use option 2 to set keys to any function, whether it be anonymous or defined (like print).

6

use number 2

7

Who cares.

No, like really. It’s the same thing. It’s like asking me if I should use ServerScriptStorage or ReplicatedStorage, like bro, it’s the same thing. My approach to making games is client-authoritative, where the client can directly control data and gameplay.

1 Like
8

I’m sorry but stating that the distinction between ServerScriptService and ReplicatedStorage doesn’t matter is factually incorrect and potentially harmful advice for new developers.

Why?

1. The Security Reality ServerScriptService is a secure vault; the client cannot see or access its contents. ReplicatedStorage is a public window; every line of code there is downloaded to the client’s memory. If you put sensitive logic in a replicated container, you are handing exploiters the instruction manual to your game.

2. The Danger of “Client-Authoritative” Design Suggesting a client-authoritative approach, where the client directly controls data, is how games get destroyed by exploiters. In a multiplayer environment, the Server must be the Source of Truth.

  • If the Client is the authority on “Gameplay,” they can teleport, auto-kill, and fly.
  • If the Client is the authority on “Data,” they can grant themselves infinite currency.

As for the OP

I highly suggest you stick with Option 1, while Luau technically processes both similarly, Option 1 is the Official Roblox Style Guide standard for several reasons:

  • Debugger Support: The Studio debugger and stack traces will explicitly name the function. Option 2 can sometimes show up as “anonymous function” in error logs, making debugging a nightmare.
  • IDE Tooling: The Script Analysis and “Go to Symbol” (Ctrl+Shift+O) features are optimized for the function Name() syntax.
  • Consistency: It allows you to switch between . and : (for OOP/self) seamlessly, whereas Option 2 requires manual, error-prone self arguments.
9

I can defend that you shouldn’t put ALL of your code/scripts inside replicated storage.
Because again, It makes the game easy to steal/copy the scripts and basically reupload the game but with slight changes,

Take forsaken for example, Basically all of their code/scripts ARE in replicated storage, So exploiters do what they do best, AKA to just copy all of the game assets and reupload the game but with changes