Const qualifier on the pointed-to data: diagnose the error when writing through a pointer to const #include int main() { char mybuf[] = "India"; char yourbuf[] = "CURIOUSTAB"; char const ptr = mybuf; / pointer to const char */ ptr = 'a'; / attempt to modify through const-qualified pointer / ptr = yourbuf; / re-pointing is allowed */ return 0; }

Introduction / Context:This problem checks understanding of “pointer to const” versus “const pointer.” Here, ptr is declared as char const *ptr, which means the characters pointed to must not be modified through ptr. The pointer itself is not const and may be reassigned.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• mybuf and yourbuf are writable arrays.
• ptr is a pointer to const char.
• The code tries *ptr = 'a' which attempts to modify via a const-qualified access.

Concept / Approach:With char const *ptr, the pointed-to data is read-only through ptr. Writing via *ptr is a constraint violation. Reassigning ptr = yourbuf is fine because ptr itself is not const. The precise error is “assignment of read-only location.” None of the provided choices (a, b, c) correctly name this, so “None of above” is the accurate selection.

Step-by-Step Solution:Declare ptr as pointer to const.Attempt *ptr = 'a'; → compile-time error: expression must be modifiable lvalue / read-only location.Line ptr = yourbuf; → valid reassignment.

Verification / Alternative check:Change the declaration to char *ptr = mybuf; and the assignment will compile and run. Alternatively, change to char *const ptr = mybuf; to make the pointer itself const and observe that ptr = yourbuf; then fails.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:(a) and (b) mention conversions not present. (c) claims no error, which is incorrect due to the attempted write through a const-qualified pointer.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing char const * (data const) with char *const (pointer const); believing that writable arrays remove const restrictions imposed by a pointer type.

Final Answer:None of above