You're correct, although I'm fairly sure dereferencing a `void*` is a compile error on all but the most ancient and non-conforming compilers. I'm not even sure what it _could_ compile to, given that `void` has no size.
void * was introduced after char * had been the pre-standard way of addressing any memory. Compilers of the era would let you use void * like char *, because it made it easier to change char * into void *.
Yes most modern C compilers will stop you from dereferencing a void pointer. Still, I couldn't help but bring up what can happen. Since I didn't witness it I can only assume 3 mile island was someone dereferencing a void pointer and it was easier to explain with a nuclear meltdown.
