__attribute__((alias())) for variables?

[Rabih Chrabieh <chrabieh at yahoo dot com>]

Hi,

The alias attribute in  __attribute__((alias()))  is defined as a 
function attribute 
(http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Function-Attributes.html).

It is not defined as a variable attribute 
(http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Variable-Attributes.html).

However, I tried using it for variables (under cygwin on pentium, gcc 
version 3.4.4) and it seems to work!
For example,

   int AAA;
   extern int BBB  __attribute__((alias("AAA")));

seems to work properly. And it also creates the proper stabs for 
debugging info.

Then my question is: why does the online help (links above) define the 
alias attribute for functions only?
- Is there a catch and it doesn't really work?
- Is the help not up to date?
- Or is the grammar general enough such that what works for functions 
often automatically works for variables, but you didn't report it?

I need this information in order to check with Texas Instruments whether 
they can properly implement the feature on their DSP compilers. It seems 
to be only partially implemented there.

Thank you,

Rabih Chrabieh