[c] Constant pointer vs Pointer to constant

int i;
int j;

int * const ptr1 = &i;

The compiler will stop you changing ptr1.

const int * ptr2 = &i;

The compiler will stop you changing *ptr2.

ptr1 = &j; // error
*ptr1 = 7; // ok

ptr2 = &j; // ok
*ptr2 = 7; // error

Note that you can still change *ptr2, just not by literally typing *ptr2:

i = 4;
printf("before: %d\n", *ptr2); // prints 4
i = 5;
printf("after: %d\n", *ptr2); // prints 5
*ptr2 = 6; // still an error

You can also have a pointer with both features:

const int * const ptr3 = &i;

ptr3 = &j; // error
*ptr3 = 7; // error

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