Error: expected primary expression before 'a' .(in an if statement)Please help.

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

I am using the Arduino Uno in a science project, and I can’t figure out the first error I get by clicking the verify button. When I click the verify button I get a string of errors, and I can’t solve the small ones until I get the first one done.

Here’s the error (Only the first one):

Arduino_Random_Movement.ino: In function 'void pulsewait':
Arduino_Random_Movement:49: error: expected primary-expression
before 'a'

:~

…And here’s the code (Only the problem section)

void pulsewait() {
  long duration, inches;
  HIGH ;13;
  delayMicroseconds(2);
  LOW ;13;
  duration = pulseIn(12, HIGH);
  inches = microsecondsToInches(duration);
  long microsecondsToInches(long microseconds);
  if (inches < 8)
  {
    halt();
    HIGH ;3;
    delay ;1500;
    LOW ;3;
    word a = 0;
  }
  delay ;1;
  word a; - 1;
  if (word a > 0)
  {
    pulsewait();
    }
  }

The problem is on this line:

if (word a > 0)

If you can help, please do! Thanks in advance!
(And if it’s something “obvious”, sorry, I’m a preteen noob!)

#2

The problem is actually in the line before

  word a; - 1;
#3

Well, what should I do, because when it tells me about the error the line I mentioned is highlighted...? :~

#4

What is this?

  HIGH ;13;

and this?

    delay ;1500;

You are also calling pulsewait recursively which is going to cause you problems.

Pete

#5 
HIGH ;13;

is part of pulsing a PING ultrasonic sensor,

delay ;1500;

is part of moving away from an obstacle, and pulsewait repeating is part of going forward for a random amount of time, constantly checking the PING sensor.

#6

In the examples of C you've worked through, have you ever seen constructs like the ones you've written there?

#7

Nope.

(P.S. I don't even know what you're talking about)

#8

I don't even know what you're talking about

The IDE includes a good number of C/C++ examples, useful for learning and giving hints.
You need to work through a few.

#9

AWOL:

I don’t even know what you’re talking about

The IDE includes a good number of C/C++ examples, useful for learning and giving hints.
You need to work through a few.

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH… Those examples…Nope.

#10