Roblox Lua Tables: Build an Inventory System

Almost every popular Roblox game has an inventory, and behind every inventory is a data structure. In this eight-week course learners discover Lua tables by building a complete inventory system step by step.

The course starts with arrays, simple ordered lists of items, and moves on to dictionaries that pair item names with quantities. Learners write functions to add items when a player picks something up, remove items when they are used, and check whether a player has enough of something. They then connect the inventory to the screen with a simple display so players can see what they are carrying.

In the later weeks learners design a crafting recipe, such as combining wood and stone into a tool, and write the code that checks the inventory and creates the new item. Along the way they practice debugging with print statements and learn how to organize data so it stays easy to change.

The teacher introduces each idea with diagrams of how a table looks in memory, then live-codes examples that learners extend on their own. By the final class every learner has a playable collection game with a working inventory and at least one crafting recipe.

This course is ideal for learners who already know variables, functions and events and want to understand how game systems really work.

How classes work

Each session pairs a short diagram-based explanation with live coding. Learners then add a new feature to their own inventory project. The last class is a showcase where learners demo their systems.

What we'll cover

• Week 1: Arrays – Create ordered lists of items and loop through them.

• Week 2: Dictionaries – Pair item names with quantities using key-value tables.

• Week 3: Picking Up Items – Write functions that add collected items to the inventory.

• Week 4: Using and Removing Items – Remove items when used and check if a player has enough.

• Week 5: Showing the Inventory – Display item counts on screen so players see what they carry.

• Week 6: Crafting Recipes – Design a recipe and code the check that creates a new item.

• Week 7: Debugging Data – Find inventory bugs with print statements and clear data structure.

• Week 8: Collection Game Showcase – Finish and demo a collection game with a working inventory.

Comfortable with Lua variables, functions and events. Completion of a beginner Lua course is recommended.