Quite so.

However, I get the impression that the problem(s) may be even more fundamental than that?

The OP mentions that he is using BASIC, and finds the move to 'C', Pascal, et al, difficult.

I think the most common problem in this situation is the move from the unstructured approach typical of original BASIC (and some current derivatives) to the use of a "structured" language like 'C' or Pascal?

"Structured" languages - like 'C' and Pascal - require a much more disciplined approach, forcing you to think about things like:

Data types for variables;

Declaring your variables before you use them;

Scope of variables;

Structuring your code rather than just throwing GOTOs all over the place;

etc, ...