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
Introduction to SQL Window Functions
Skills you'll gain: SQL, PostgreSQL, Query Languages, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Epic Games
Visual Development and Audio Design in Games
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Animation and Game Design, 3D Modeling, Prototyping, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Animations, Multimedia, Virtual Environment, Aesthetics
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Developing Applications with Google Cloud: Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Applications, Application Deployment, Application Development, Authentications, Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Data Storage, Platform As A Service (PaaS), Cloud API, Authorization (Computing), CI/CD, Cloud Computing, Application Performance Management, Cloud Storage, Cloud Security, Serverless Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Computer Programming Tools, Containerization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Data I/O and Preprocessing with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Validation, Data Processing, Data Ethics, Data Cleansing, SQL, Data Transformation, JSON, Pandas (Python Package), Generative AI, Relational Databases, Data Integrity, Unstructured Data, Application Programming Interface (API)
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Duke University
Introduction to FastAPI framework
Skills you'll gain: Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API), Application Deployment, Software Documentation, Web Applications, JSON, Application Development, Server Side, Program Development, Test Tools, Python Programming, Data Validation
2.7
Rating, 2.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill® Digital Navigator Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Cultural Responsiveness, Community Outreach, Educational Materials, Intercultural Competence, Relationship Building, Active Listening, Cultural Diversity, Digital Transformation, Disabilities, Community Development, Cultural Sensitivity, Trustworthiness, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Professionalism, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Digital Communications, Computer Security Awareness Training, Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
CertNexus
Extract, Transform, and Load Data
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Data Manipulation, Data Processing, Data Cleansing, Data Transformation, Data Warehousing, Data Integration, Data Quality, Data Import/Export, Data Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
TypeScript Variables and Data Types
Skills you'll gain: TypeScript, Programming Principles, Web Development Tools, Javascript, Web Language
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
97 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Blazor for Front-End Development
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Copilot, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, UI Components, Performance Tuning, Front-End Web Development, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, Server Side, Data Validation, Debugging
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Agile Project Management
Skills you'll gain: User Story, Sprint Planning, Prioritization, Brainstorming, Conflict Management, Agile Project Management, Scaled Agile Framework, Program Management, Backlogs, Innovation, Agile Software Development, Team Motivation, Sprint Retrospectives, Ideation, Solution Design, Agile Methodology, Project Portfolio Management, Empowerment, Discussion Facilitation, Agile Product Development
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development with Python
Skills you'll gain: Web Development, Flask (Web Framework), Restful API, Selenium (Software), Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Secure Coding, Object-Relational Mapping, JavaScript Frameworks, Application Security, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, HTML and CSS, Back-End Web Development, Databases, Application Programming Interface (API), Microsoft Azure, Vue.JS, Relational Databases
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Intro to TensorFlow en Español
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Google Cloud Platform, Data Pipelines, Jupyter, Deep Learning, Machine Learning Methods, Pandas (Python Package), Supervised Learning, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Manipulation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
137 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months