What does alias do?

[ag0aep6g via Digitalmars-d-learn]

On 23.04.2016 21:49, xtreak wrote:
> I am a D newbie from Python and I am trying to grok alias. Is alias like
> Python does as below
>
> L = []
> myextend = L.extend
> L.myextend

My Python isn't too great, but I think this is more similar to function 
pointers or delegates in D.

> Renaming imported function
>
> from itertools import permutations as p
> p([1, 2], 2)

Yes, that's similar. A renamed import creates an alias. For example, 
`import std.algorithm: p = permutations;` creates an alias `p` for 
std.algorithm.permutations.

> Is D aliasing the same as above? How does aliasing types help like below
>
> alias intList = LinkedList!int
>
> Is the above like a partially applied template as in LinkedList!int([1,
> 2, 3]) and hence can I use it like intList([1, 2, 3])?

No, the template isn't partially applied, it's fully instantiated (and 
results in a type). The alias declaration just makes `intList` an 
alternative name for `LinkedList!int`.