What is the difference between the iterators defined here.

Question

vector vec;
//put 10 values into vec
const vector::iterator p = vec.begin();
vector::const_iterator q = vec.begin();

Answer 1

The difference here is what we are promising not to change. With regard to p, it is p itself that can’t be changed. With q, it is what q points to that can’t be changed.
Example:
*p = 0; //OK to change vec where p points,
p = vec.end();//error: l-value specifies const object
//can’t change p itself
q = vec.end();//OK to change q
*q = 0; //error l-value specifies const object
//can’t change vec where q points.