.HD RENAME rename
.SH NAME
rename \- rename a \*n command to avoid name conflicts
.SH SYNOPSIS
.CS void rename()
.PP
.CS void rename(old_name, new_name)
.CS char *old_name ;
.CS char *new_name ;
.SH DESCRIPTION
.CO Rename
changes the name of a \*n command to prevent name conflicts between
\*n commands and variables or functions defined by the user.
When renaming commands, it is preferable to make a minor
change in the name, such as prepending an underscore to
the beginning of the name.
.PP
The conflicting command name should be renamed before any files are
loaded to avoid accidental use of the \*n command to resolve external
references in user code.
.CO Rename
will not rename a command if it has already been used
to resolve a reference within the user's program.
.PP
The command name is changed from
.AR old_name
to
.AR new_name
(both names must be enclosed within strings).
After a command has been renamed,
.AR new_name
must be used to refer to the command.
.PP
If
.CO rename
is called without arguments, it lists all \*n commands
that have been renamed.
.SH BUGS
.CO Help
does not recognize renamed commands.
If a command is renamed,
.CO help
must be called with the original name of the command
contained within a string.
.SH SEE ALSO
xref,
whatis