C syntax errors

I am new to C.

Given that C compilers throw up Syntax errors at seemingly random places,
how do experienced programmers cope?
Any advice will be most welcome.
-rant on-
To me C is the antithesis of the KISS principal.  Given the convolutions
possible in C code I wonder how are any C programs written at all.
It seems that you need an ability to decompile C code in your head. The
forwards and backwards nature of deciphering a C definition is so arcane
that the only reason I can think why anyone would have designed such a
language is to show 'look at me, arnt I clever'.
C macro substitution seems to be a disaster waiting to happen. Who is
clever enough to construct a macro that can accept arbitrary input and yet
produce reliable results.
-rant off-
I fact I am trying to compile a bit of C code I found on the net  that
attempts to translate C constructs into words but it fails on the iSeries
with a syntax error.
Presumable it has compiled elsewhere.
http://www.c-program-example.com/2012/02/k-r-c-programs-exercise-5-20.html

I though I was a programmer, I know Basic Fortran Cobol RPG(all variants)
but I realise now that I am just a mere dabbler and there exist super
beings with mystical abilities akin to sorcerers who program in C.

Frank Kolmann
-- 
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