Const Variables in a Class

Question

So I was just messing around with some code and wanted to declare an array of strings that I already new the values for, like this:

class Player {
//...
public:
static const char* NAMES[];
//...
};
const char* Player::NAMES[] = {"Bob", "Billy", "Joe"};

Then I noticed I could probably declare other data variables const as well. At least the ones that weren't going to be changed ever in the code. Like this:

public:
unsigned int maxHealth;
// I changed it to "const unsigned int maxHealth;"

I've read a ton of stuff on c++ and practiced a bunch, so I might have just forgotten this rule, if it even is a rule: For the variables I've defined like 'maxHealth', can their value only be assigned within the constructor, since I don't want them to be static??

Answer 1

http://www.drdobbs.com/the-problem-with-const-data-members/184403306

Answer 2

Perfect article for my question. Thanks a bunch Ulisses!