how to read "char* const *(*next)();"

A. First, go to the variable name, "next", and note that it is directly enclosed by parentheses.

B1. So we group it with what else is in the parentheses, to get "next is a pointer to...".

B. Then we go outside the parentheses, and have a choice of a prefix asterisk, or a postfix pair of parentheses.

B2. Rule B.2 tells us the highest precedence thing is the function parentheses at the right, so we have "next is a pointer to a function returning…"

B3. Then process the prefix "*" to get "pointer to".

C. Finally, take the "char * const", as a constant pointer to a character.