How do I adapt another plugin

[londarhawk]

I'm am thinking of adapting the ENO plugin for in game combat messages like a set of helps (i.e. Jump if you need help, HELP! etc.) and for Drawing mobs (I'll/you/Let's draw the left/middle/right or targeted mob), for deciding which mobs to attack (I'll/You/Let's take the left/middle/right or targeted mob), Mezing mobs (I'll/you/Let's Mez the left/middle/right or targeted mob).
Do I need the originals plugin's author's permisson to do the adapting?

The thing is I haven't done any programming in 20 years and haven't a clue how to start or even go about doing it. Any suggestions on where to look for instructions on LUA programming? Or just on adapting another plugin? and

L Hawk