Aliasing variables

[miniTesla]

The documentation regarding aliasing variables isn't entire clear to me. So here my question. I setup an array CMD(4) and then I want to alias four variables to each of the four elements of the array. Is this the correct way?

DIM CMD(4) AS BYTE
DIM CMD0 AS BYTE ALIAS CMD(1)
DIM CMD1 AS BYTE ALIAS CMD(2)
DIM CMD2 AS BYTE ALIAS CMD(3)
DIM CMD3 AS BYTE ALIAS CMD(4)

[Anobium]

Yes, this is correct.

The optimiser will create aliases automatically if the address of the array elements is a constant. So, uses the alias does make use of the array elements easier but it will not improve code size.

Best to look at the ASM. There is an alias section.

[miniTesla]

Perhaps this can be added as example in the aliasing section. Also this example that is already in the docu

Dim my_variable as LONG
Dim ByteOne   as Byte alias my_variable_E
Dim ByteTwo   as Byte alias my_variable_U
Dim ByteThree as Byte alias my_variable_H
Dim ByteFour  as Byte alias my_variable

would benefit from an explantion of what my_variable_E, my_variable_U, my_variable_H are because they are not defined.

[Anobium]

Where?

If you can provide the location in the help ( the page in the CHM ... use the properties of the page to tell you the source file name, it will look like /_alias.html

And, the words you recommend then we can just drop in.

[miniTesla]

Where aliasing is described. https://gcbasic.sourceforge.io/help/_variable_types.html

[Anobium]

And, the words you recommend then we can just drop in and where in the document?

[miniTesla]

The example that is there isn't mine. I have no idea what my_variable_E is. Explain it. My example from above for an array doesn't need more than something like "accessing array elements via aliasing"

[Anobium]

Here is a draft.

https://github.com/GreatCowBASIC/Help/blob/main/source/varbytes.adoc

Please edit/revise.

[miniTesla]

This is good and much better than what is currently there. My main confusion came from the E, U, H naming convention that is now explained.