# love.filesystem.load

Load a lua file (but not run it)

## Function

### Synopsis

    chunk = love.filesystem.load( name )

### Arguments

`string name`
  The name (and path) of the file

### Returns

`function chunk`
  The loaded chunk

## Example

It is important to note that love.filesystem.load does not invoke the code, it just creates a function (a 'chunk') that will contain the contents of the file inside it. In order to execute the chunk, you have to put () behind it.

Also, it is worth noting that loaded files can return values. For example, the following file:

                        return
                        1
                        +
                        1

Will return 2, when called like this:

    chunk = love.filesystem.load( name ) -- load the chunk
    local result = chunk() -- execute the chunk
    print('result: ' .. tostring(result)) -- prints 'result: 2'

This bluescreens if there is a syntax error in the loaded file. If you want to continue your game if the file is not valid (for example if you expect it to be written by users), you can protect the calling of the chunk with pcall:

    local ok, chunk, result
    ok, chunk = pcall( love.filesystem.load, name ) -- load the chunk safely
    if not ok then
      print('The following error happend: ' .. tostring(chunk))
    else
      ok, result = pcall(chunk) -- execute the chunk safely

      if not ok then -- will be false if there is an error
        print('The following error happened: ' .. tostring(result))
      else
        print('The result of loading is: ' .. tostring(result))
      end
    end

## See Also

- love.filesystem

##

Category:

- Functions