(ref.doc)bs 240194

Note:
 Stroustrup

Subject: char *x Vs char* x

[...]
Actually, I consider the C declarator syntax an experiment that failed.
Having both prefix and postfix operators in declarations is a bad idea
that has caused and will continue to cause endless confusion.

This particular source of confusion predates even Dennis. The best we
can do is to try to minimize confusion through style.
[...]