The best argument against this, and for leaving the * by the variable name, is this declaration:

  char* a, b;

Now a has type char * but b is just char. It’s probably not what the author meant and it’s definitely ambiguous even if it was intentional. Better to write:

  char b, *a;

Or, if you meant it this way:

  char *a, *b;

“Well, don’t declare multiple variables on the same line,” you respond. Sure, that’s good advice too. But in mixed, undisciplined, or just old code, it’s an easy trap to fall into.