Lua as save file - how to generate lua file

["Todor Totev" <umbra.tenebris@...>]

Hello all,
I want to use Lua to preserve the state of my programme - much like saves  
of a game.
The general structure of a file is something like

<code>
node1 = {
  value1 = "blah"
  value2 = "blah"
}
node2 = ...
</code>

I know how to read the file and get the values from Lua machine.
At some time I want to change some of the values and write back the file.
What I don't know is how to make Lua to generate such a file.
Or should I generate it by hand?

Also, what is the situation with IUP and Lua5.1? Are they usable together?
I'm targeting Windows 2000 and up.

Thanks for your kind suggestions,
Todor