How to learn C programming?

Whether you’re learning C programming for software development, systems programming, or academic purposes, having a clear goal can guide your learning. Consistent practice with coding and debugging is critical. Join communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit's r/C_Programming to ask questions and share knowledge. Work on real projects such as creating small programs. Introduction to C and C++ Specialization by Duke University on is a great starting resource.

What are the best C programming courses on Coursera?

Top options include C Programming for Beginners from Duke University and C Programming for Everybody from the University of Michigan . These courses cover everything from basic syntax to advanced topics like pointers, memory management, and data structures .

Can I learn C programming for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many C programming courses offer a free audit option, allowing learners to access video lessons and reading materials at no cost. To complete assignments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a C programming course?

You’ll learn how to write C code, understand control structures (like loops and conditionals), use functions, work with arrays and strings, and manage memory with pointers. Some courses also cover debugging and testing C programs.

Do I need coding experience to start learning C programming?

Not at all. Many courses are designed for beginners and introduce C concepts step by step. However, some familiarity with basic programming logic can be helpful, especially if you want to move on to more advanced topics or other programming languages.

"Can Coursera’s C programming courses help me in my career? "

Yes. C programming is fundamental in areas like embedded systems , game development , and operating systems. Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, strengthen your programming foundation, and prepare for roles that require low-level programming expertise.

Top C Programming Courses - Learn C Programming Online

Find the Best C Programming Course for Your Goals

Coursera Project Network
Access Bioinformatics Databases with Biopython
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Scientific Visualization, Data Access, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Data Science and Analysis Tools - from Jupyter to R Markdown
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Plot (Graphics), Box Plots, Descriptive Statistics, Scatter Plots, Histogram, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Statistical Visualization, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Correlation Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Dashboard, Tidyverse (R Package), Data Analysis, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Data Visualization
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fudan University
网络游戏设计与开发
Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Game Design, Intellectual Property, Video Game Development, Mobile Development, Application Deployment, User Interface (UI), Android (Operating System), C# (Programming Language), Conceptual Design, Animation and Game Design, Software Design, Cross Platform Development, Back-End Web Development, Market Dynamics, Cloud Development, Animations, System Design and Implementation, Computer Graphics, Performance Tuning
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
172 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Producción musical con software libre
Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Post-Production, Open Source Technology, Media Production, Musical Composition, Music History, Aesthetics, Multimedia, Collaborative Software, Instrumental Music, Music Performance, Data Sharing, Creativity, Digital Publishing, Software Installation, Middleware, Editing, Content Creation, Computer Programming Tools
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
232 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Data Science Challenge
Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Jupyter, Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling, Data Science, Python Programming, Predictive Analytics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
163 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Best Practices for iOS User Interface Design
Skills you'll gain: Apple iOS, Model View Controller, Core Data (Software), User Interface (UI) Design, UI Components, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Responsive Web Design, Mobile Development, Human Computer Interaction, UI/UX Strategy, Data Mapping, Geospatial Mapping, Animations, Storyboarding
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
189 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Genentech
Hands On Clinical Reporting Using R
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Data Management, Clinical Trials, Interactive Data Visualization, Pharmaceuticals, Data Modeling, R Programming, Technical Communication, Data Analysis Software, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Creating Database Tables with SQL
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, Database Design, Database Development, SQL, Database Management, Databases, Data Integrity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
323 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Selenium Python Automation Testing and Frameworks
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Selenium (Software), Test Automation, GitHub, Jenkins, Test Case, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), CI/CD, Test Data, Software Testing, Unit Testing, Application Frameworks, Integration Testing, Web Development Tools, Programming Principles, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript and jQuery, Python Programming, Browser Compatibility, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Sungkyunkwan University
Machine Learning Basics
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Supervised Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Applied Machine Learning, Regression Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Linear Algebra, Probability
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
74 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Essential Causal Inference Techniques for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Data Science, Statistical Machine Learning, Data-Driven Decision-Making, R Programming, Statistical Inference, Applied Machine Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Machine Learning, Statistical Methods, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Retrieve Data using Single-Table SQL Queries
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Query Languages, Data Access, Database Software, Relational Databases, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
333 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours