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

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Intro to the Arctic
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Issue, Environment, Environmental Monitoring, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Geographic Information Systems, Social Studies, Water Resources, World History, Research, Scientific Methods
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programar en Python
Skills you'll gain: Test Driven Development (TDD), Unit Testing, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Python Programming, Programming Principles, Debugging, Data Structures, Back-End Web Development, Computer Programming, Database Development, Software Development Tools
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
96 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Data Management with Databricks: Big Data with Delta Lakes
Skills you'll gain: Databricks, Data Lakes, Data Pipelines, Data Integration, Extract, Transform, Load, Dashboard, PySpark, SQL, Data Management, Data Transformation, Version Control
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Leeds
An Introduction to Logic for Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Logical Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, Computational Logic, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Scrimba
Become a JavaScript Developer
Skills you'll gain: TypeScript, Javascript, Pseudocode, Computational Thinking, Web Development, Angular, Vue.JS, Application Development, Debugging, Algorithms, React.js, Web Applications, JSON, Data Import/Export, Event-Driven Programming, Front-End Web Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Unit Testing, Maintainability, Software Design Patterns
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
74 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Advanced Data Structures, RSA and Quantum Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Cryptography, Data Structures, Algorithms, Encryption, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Linear Algebra, Emerging Technologies, Python Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Health Data Science Foundation
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Health Care, Artificial Neural Networks, Supervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Image Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Program Development, Predictive Modeling
3
Rating, 3 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
ARM Cortex (STM32) Deep Dive: Mastering Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Peripheral Devices, C (Programming Language), System Programming, Hardware Architecture, Data Structures, Debugging, Hardware Troubleshooting, Development Environment, Performance Tuning, Integrated Development Environments, C++ (Programming Language)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Using Data for Geographic Mapping and Forecasting in SAS Visual Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Forecasting, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Geospatial Mapping, Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Data Manipulation, Data Transformation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
223 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Automation and Scripting with Python
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Git (Version Control System), Scripting, Version Control, Test Automation, Software Testing, Cloud API, Automation, Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API), Scalability, Python Programming, Data Cleansing, Performance Tuning, File Management
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Python: de cero a usuario
Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, Jupyter, Software Installation, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Mac OS, Programming Principles, Microsoft Windows, Cross Platform Development, Software Documentation, Command-Line Interface
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Designing data-intensive applications
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Database Design, Scalability, Database Systems, Unstructured Data, Relational Databases, Transaction Processing, Databases, Systems Design, Big Data, Data Architecture, Data Storage Technologies, NoSQL, Data Processing, Maintainability, SQL, Apache Hadoop
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks