Cant find compile.verbose in my preferences, or in my preferences.txt
(using Arduino 17 on a Mac)
Just add them to your preferences.txt (while the IDE is not running).
The IDE will recognize them the next time you start up.
so I have to actually read the books on C I have Cry
I hate code!
I'm pleased to hear you bought/leased books about 'C'. There is no chance you learn it with some half-baked Internet-tutorial.
Eberhard