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

EC-Council
Secure Full Stack MEAN Developer
Skills you'll gain: Node.JS, MongoDB, Angular, Full-Stack Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Restful API, Web Applications, Web Development, NoSQL, Front-End Web Development, Application Security, Web Development Tools, Web Servers, Application Programming Interface (API), Javascript, Back-End Web Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
SQL Window Functions for Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SQL, PostgreSQL, Query Languages, Database Management, Database Systems, Data Manipulation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Google Cloud
Learning TensorFlow: the Hello World of Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Google Cloud Platform, Scripting, Artificial Neural Networks, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Development Environment
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Data Transformation in the Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Data Cleansing, Data Governance, Data Transformation, Cloud Security, Data Visualization, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Integration, Data Processing, Data Management, Data Migration, Data Collection, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Data Analysis, SQL
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Amazon Web Services
Amazon Bedrock - Getting Started with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Amazon Web Services, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Cloud API, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
116 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Practical Quantum Computing with IBM Qiskit for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: IBM Cloud, Cryptography, Algorithms, Python Programming, Linear Algebra, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Theoretical Computer Science, Emerging Technologies, Test Case, Jupyter, Physics, Simulations, Software Installation, Debugging, Development Environment
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Ciência de Dados para Finanças
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Mining, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization, FinTech, Data Visualization Software, Deep Learning, Data Modeling, R Programming, Predictive Analytics, Data Science, Data Analysis, Business Analytics, Data Processing, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Machine Learning, Financial Market, Business Intelligence, Data Structures
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
78 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Azure for AI and Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Microsoft Azure, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Application Deployment, Data Pipelines, Network Troubleshooting, Cloud Computing, Software Versioning, CI/CD, Continuous Monitoring, Data Storage, Scalability, Data Quality, Data Transformation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Deep Learning Applications for Computer Vision
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Computer Vision, Image Analysis, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Artificial Neural Networks, Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming Tools, Algorithms
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
87 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
AI Workflow: Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data Science, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Cleansing, Pandas (Python Package), Statistical Inference, Statistics, Data Manipulation
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
123 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Edureka
Machine Learning and NLP Basics
Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, Predictive Modeling, Text Mining, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Machine Learning, Tensorflow, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Supervised Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Unstructured Data
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
AI Agents in Java with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI Agents, Java, Agentic systems, Software Design, Artificial Intelligence, Software Architecture, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Software Development Tools, Application Development, Prompt Engineering, Systems Integration, Large Language Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months