An alias is an alternate name for a table or view. It can be used to reference a table or view in those cases where an existing table or view can be referenced. 2 Like tables and views, an alias may be created, dropped, and have comments associated with it. Unlike tables, aliases may refer to each other in a process called chaining. Aliases are publicly referenced names so no special authority or privilege is required to use an alias. Access to the tables and views referred to by the alias, however, still require the appropriate authorization for the current context.
In addition to table aliases, there are other types of aliases such as database and network aliases. Aliases can also be created for nicknames.
Refer to Aliases and CREATE ALIAS for more information about aliases.