What's the difference between const char *p, char * const p and const char * const p?

const char *p    -   This is a pointer to a constant char. One cannot change the value
                     pointed at by p, but can change the pointer p itself.

                     *p = 'A' is illegal.
                     p  = "Hello" is legal.

                     Note that even char const *p is the same!

const * char p   -   This is a constant pointer to (non-const) char. One cannot change
                     the pointer p, but can change the value pointed at by p.

                     *p = 'A' is legal.
                     p  = "Hello" is illegal.



const char * const p  -   This is a constant pointer to constant char! One cannot
                          change the value pointed to by p nor the pointer.

                          *p = 'A' is illegal.
                          p  = "Hello" is also illegal.


So when const is nearest to the type, or near to both type and pointer operator( *), it is type which is const. When const is near to the *, it is pointer which is constant. So, const has more affinity for type(like char etc).
i.e.CT - const is Type


Both the forms are equivalent. Keywords in the brackets are optional. The simplest tip here is to notice the relative position of the `const' keyword with respect to the asterisk (*).