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
IBM
IBM COBOL Software Development Process
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, z/OS, COBOL (Programming Language), Unit Testing, Systems Analysis, Systems Development, Pseudocode, Software Development Methodologies, Agile Methodology, Software Development, Software Design, Systems Architecture, Mainframe Computing, Programming Principles, Scrum (Software Development), Test Planning
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM COBOL Data and File Management
Skills you'll gain: COBOL (Programming Language), Job Control Language (JCL), IBM DB2, z/OS, Mainframe Computing, Relational Databases, File Management, Data Management, Databases, Computer Programming Tools, Data Storage, Programming Principles, Data Structures
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
NIIT
Server side JavaScript with Node.js
Skills you'll gain: Node.JS, Unit Testing, Server Side, Javascript, Debugging, Back-End Web Development, File Systems, Web Applications, Event-Driven Programming
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
85 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Object Localization with TensorFlow
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Image Analysis, Computer Vision, Artificial Neural Networks, Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Python Programming
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Machine Learning with PySpark: Customer Churn Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Analysis, PySpark, Data Processing, Data Cleansing, Data Transformation, Apache Spark, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Decision Tree Learning, Predictive Modeling, Predictive Analytics, Applied Machine Learning, Application Deployment, Machine Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Introducción al desarrollo de apps móviles para Android
Skills you'll gain: Android Studio, Android Development, Mobile Development, Android (Operating System), Gradle, Kotlin, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, User Interface (UI), Extensible Markup Language (XML)
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
196 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Python for Beginners: Data Structures
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Plot (Graphics), Programming Principles, Python Programming, Data Storage
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp EdTech
Practice Exam for Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification
Skills you'll gain: Agile Methodology, Sprint Retrospectives, Agile Project Management, Sprint Planning, Agile Software Development, User Story, Knowledge Transfer
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Maryland, College Park
Surviving Disruptive Technologies (On Demand)
Skills you'll gain: Emerging Technologies, Technology Strategies, Digital Transformation, Business Transformation, Social Media, Innovation, Organizational Change, Competitive Analysis, E-Commerce, Business Strategy
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Cisco Learning and Certifications
Ansible for Network Automation
Skills you'll gain: Ansible, YAML, Network Architecture, Network Administration, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Network Infrastructure, General Networking, Automation, System Configuration, Software Documentation, Configuration Management, Python Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Analyze Box Office Data with Seaborn and Python
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Seaborn, Plotly, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Python Programming, Predictive Modeling, Jupyter, Cloud Applications, Statistical Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
179 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Concepts in Python: Loops, Functions and Returns
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Python Programming, Scripting, Maintainability, Programming Principles, Scripting Languages
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
114 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours