The rationale is that the type declaration demonstrates how you use the variable. For example: char *(*fp)(int, float *) You now have a variable called "fp

The rationale is that the type declaration demonstrates how you use the variable. For example: char *(*fp)(int, float *) You now have a variable called "fp". Follow that pointer by putting a * in front of it. Call that function by passing it an int and a float pointer inside parentheses. Follow that pointer by putting a * in front of it. That gives you a char. Same kind of thing here: char *strings[10] You now have a variable called "strings". Index that array by putting an offset less than 10 inside square brackets. Follow that pointer by putting a * in front of it. That gives you a char. Here's a simpler example: char *str You now have a variable called "str". Follow that pointer by putting a * in front of it. That gives you a char. Here's the simplest example of all: char ch; You now have a variable called "ch". That gives you a char.