char* vs const char* as a parameter

Question

There are many times that I get compile errors when I use char* instead of const char*. So, I am not sure the actual difference, the syntax and the com

Answer 1

Probably I'm too picky. In my book, the character(s) pointed to by a const char* can possibly be changed but not via the const char*. A const char * can point to modifiable storage. Example:

char a[] = "abracadabra";
const char * ccp = &a[0]; // ccp points to modifiable storage.
*&a[0] = 'o'; // This writes to a location pointed to by const char* ccp

So, my wording is:

A char * is a pointer that be changed and that also allows writing through it when dereferenced via * or [].

A const char * is a pointer that be changed and that does not allow writing through it when dereferenced via * or [].