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

University of California San Diego
Hadoop Platform and Application Framework
Skills you'll gain: Apache Hadoop, Big Data, Data Analysis, Apache Spark, Data Science, Data Processing, Distributed Computing, Performance Tuning, Scalability
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 Exam Prep
Skills you'll gain: Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Azure, Power BI, Databricks, Data Processing, Cloud Services, Data Warehousing, Database Systems, Databases, Dashboard, Data Architecture, NoSQL, Apache Spark, Database Administration, Relational Databases, MySQL, Data Store, SQL, Cloud Storage, Database Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
829 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Database Management Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, Database Management Systems, Databases, Oracle Databases, SQL, Query Languages, PostgreSQL, Systems Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Python Development
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Structures, Git (Version Control System), Generative AI, Version Control, Matplotlib, Plotly, DevOps, Agile Methodology, Web Development, Data Ethics, Flask (Web Framework), Scripting, GitHub, Debugging, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Restful API, Docker (Software), Test Driven Development (TDD)
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Python for Genomic Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Structures, Jupyter, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Scripting Languages, Scripting, Data Processing, Computer Programming, Data Manipulation, File Management
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The State University of New York
Practical Time Series Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Forecasting, R Programming, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Predictive Modeling, Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Science, Web Development, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Application Development, Scientific Visualization
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Digital Signal Processing
Skills you'll gain: Digital Communications, Image Analysis, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, Electronic Systems, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Electronics, Programming Principles, Engineering Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Advanced Mathematics, Algorithms, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Modeling, Calculus, Applied Mathematics
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
779 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Marketing Analytics, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Extract, Transform, Load, Business Analytics, Data Processing, Data Collection, Data Quality, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Regression Analysis, Network Analysis, Internal Controls, Business Process, Business Intelligence, Tidyverse (R Package), R Programming, Robotic Process Automation, Analytics
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM z/OS Mainframe Practitioner
Skills you'll gain: Job Control Language (JCL), Mainframe Computing, z/OS, Virtualization, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Unix, IBM DB2, Operating Systems, IBM Cloud, Data Management, Hardware Architecture, Data Storage, Infrastructure Architecture, System Programming, File Systems, Enterprise Security, Computer Security, System Configuration, Control Panels, Command-Line Interface
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Getting Started with Go
Skills you'll gain: Go (Programming Language), JSON, Programming Principles, Other Programming Languages, Development Environment, Data Structures, Remote Access Systems, Software Installation, File Management, Program Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Parallel, Concurrent, and Distributed Programming in Java
Skills you'll gain: Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, Distributed Computing, Java Programming, Java, Software Architecture, Systems Architecture, Data Structures, System Programming, Programming Principles, Servers, Application Frameworks, Debugging, Algorithms, Performance Tuning, Network Protocols, Computer Science, Functional Design, Scalability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months