I'd say the most critical thing is to understand the relationship between ISO C standard, compiler implementations, and you, the programmer. Understanding that

I'd say the most critical thing is to understand the relationship between ISO C standard, compiler implementations, and you, the programmer. Understanding that "seems to work" is not good strategy to deal with C, nor is trusting that things work in a sensible manner. Seeing how nasal demons might lurk at every corner. Distrust all advice and guidance that is not founded upon current C standard and/or compiler documentation. If you internalize that mode of thinking, then pointers will be just a minor detail in the end.