How to interpret a declaration when you have a type(char) a pointer(*) and a const keyword?

Question

I am aware of the following sequences :

const char* - mutable pointer to an immutable character/strin
char* const - an immutable pointer but the contents of location at which it points are mutable.
const char* const - immutable pointer to an immutable character/string.
char* - entirely permissive.

However are we supposed to interpret the following :

char const *

Is there a way to intuitively understand what 1 , 2 and the "new one" means - or we have to learn it by heart.

http://cdecl.org/ is a good resource for these types of problems. (though does not help with `char const *`) — chux - Reinstate Monica, Feb 26 '15 at 01:59
remember to read a declaration starting from the right.. That give const pointer to char'. — user3629249, Feb 26 '15 at 03:41

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:24

2

The rule of thumb is "read it backwards". This answer explains it well.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:24

Community

answered Feb 26 '15 at 03:04

AShelly

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 26 '15 at 01:45

1

it's equivalent to const char *

answered Feb 26 '15 at 01:45

sithereal

2 Answers2