Alias

What is an Alias?

An alias is another name or label given to something.

In Simple Terms

An alias is essentially a “nickname” or alternative name.

Detailed Explanation

1. Basic DefinitionAn alias is a secondary name or label for something. This can be used to refer to a person, a file, or a command in computing.
2. General UseFor example, if a person named “John Doe” is often called “Johnny,” then “Johnny” is an alias for “John Doe.”
3. In ComputingIn computing, an alias can be used to create shortcuts or alternative names for commands or files. For instance, in Unix-based systems, you might create an alias for a command to make it easier to remember or to modify its behavior. If you set an alias for cp -i as cp, typing cp will actually execute cp -i.
4. In macOSOn macOS, an alias refers to a file or folder shortcut, similar to a shortcut in Windows. It allows you to access a file or folder from another location without duplicating the actual file.

In Summary

When you encounter the term “alias,” think of it as a “nickname” or an “alternative name” used to refer to something, whether it’s a person, a file, or a command.