What is the difference between char * const and const char *?

Question

What's the difference between: ``` char * const ``` and ``` const char * ```

Accepted Answer

The difference is that `const char *` is a pointer to a `const char`, while `char * const` is a constant pointer to a `char`.

The first, the value being pointed to can't be changed but the pointer can be. The second, the value being pointed at can change but the pointer can't (similar to a reference).

There is also a

```
const char * const
```

which is a constant pointer to a constant char (so nothing about it can be changed).

Note:

The following two forms are equivalent:

```
const char *
```

and

```
char const *
```

The exact reason for this is described in the C++ standard, but it's important to note and avoid the confusion. I know several coding standards that prefer:

```
char const
```

over

```
const char
```

(with or without pointer) so that the placement of the `const` element is the same as with a pointer `const`.

What is the difference between char * const and const char *?

Solution

Problem

Related problems