## Alias

The `alias` rule gives alternative name to a group of targets. For example, to give the name `core` to a group of three other targets with the following code:

    alias core : im reader writer ;

Using `core` on the command line, or in the source list of any other target is the same as explicitly using `im`, `reader`, and `writer`, but it is just more convenient.

Another use of the `alias` rule is to change build properties. For example, if you always want static linking for a specific C++ Boost library, you can write the following:

    alias threads : /boost/thread//boost_thread : <link>static ;

and use only the `threads` alias in your Jamfiles.

You can also specify usage requirements for the `alias` target. If you write the following:

    alias header_only_library : : : :  <include>/usr/include/header_only_library ;

then using `header_only_library` in sources will only add an include path. Also note that when there are some sources, their usage requirements are propagated, too. For example:

    lib lib : lib.cpp : : : <include>. ;
    alias lib_alias ;
    exe main : main.cpp lib_alias ;

will compile `main.cpp` with the additional include.