Const and Not Const*

Understanding const correctness in C++ pointer declarations

This is an easy language-knowledge question that tests your grasp of const correctness in C++, specifically how const qualifies pointers versus the data they point to. It's a foundational skill for any C++ developer, especially those writing low-latency or safety-critical code where const-correctness prevents accidental mutations.

The question asks you to read a code snippet and predict its output. To answer correctly, you need to distinguish between a const pointer, a pointer to const data, and a const pointer to const data—three related but distinct declarations. Getting this right hinges on parsing the declaration syntax carefully and understanding what each variant permits at runtime.

• Pointer-to-const vs. const-pointer distinction
• How const qualifies in declaration order (right-to-left reading rule)
• Compile-time vs. runtime implications of const