What is a potential drawback of using field aliases in Splunk?

Field aliases in Splunk allow users to create alternate names for fields, which can make data queries and reports more intuitive. However, a potential drawback is that they can indeed make the data model and queries more complex, especially when multiple aliases are created for the same field. This complexity can lead to confusion for users who may not be aware of all the existing aliases or how they interact with one another.

When field aliases proliferate, they could obscure the original field names and their meanings, making it challenging for users to fully understand the structure of the data they are analyzing or reporting on. Complexity in data analysis can lead to inefficiencies, mistakes in interpretation, or even miscommunication among team members working with the same data set.

Thus, while field aliases can enhance usability and readability, they can introduce an additional layer of complexity that may hinder rather than help data interactions for users who are not fully familiar with their implications.