Alias
Clause of the Sub and Function statements that provides an alternate internal name
declare sub usablename Alias "alternatename" ( ... )
Alias gives an alternate name to a procedure. This alternate name cannot be used within the program to call the procedure, but it is visible (if the function is not private) to the linker when linking with code written in other languages.
Alias is commonly used for procedures in libraries written in other languages when such procedure names are valid in the other language but invalid in BASIC. When using Alias with Declare, only the alternate name is used by the linker.
Differently from normal procedure names, Alias does not change the case of the alternate name, so it is useful when external code requires an exported function with a particular name or with a particular case.
If there is a sub called xClearScreen in an external library and you want to reference it with the name ClearVideoScreen, here is sample code to do so:
A procedure meant to be used by external C code, exported as MyExportedProc:
Syntax
Usage
declare sub usablename Alias "alternatename" ( ... )
or
declare function usablename Alias "alternatename" ( ... )or
sub usablename Alias "alternatename" ( ... )...
end subor
function usablename Alias "alternatename" ( ... )...
end functionDescription
Alias gives an alternate name to a procedure. This alternate name cannot be used within the program to call the procedure, but it is visible (if the function is not private) to the linker when linking with code written in other languages.
Alias is commonly used for procedures in libraries written in other languages when such procedure names are valid in the other language but invalid in BASIC. When using Alias with Declare, only the alternate name is used by the linker.
Differently from normal procedure names, Alias does not change the case of the alternate name, so it is useful when external code requires an exported function with a particular name or with a particular case.
Example
If there is a sub called xClearScreen in an external library and you want to reference it with the name ClearVideoScreen, here is sample code to do so:
Declare Sub ClearVideoScreen Alias "xClearScreen" ()
A procedure meant to be used by external C code, exported as MyExportedProc:
Function MultiplyByFive cdecl Alias "MyExportedProc" (ByVal Parameter As Integer) As Integer Export
Return Parameter * 5
End Function
Return Parameter * 5
End Function
Differences from QB
- In QB, Alias only worked with Declare.
See also
