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
Board Infinity
Frontend Development using Angular
Skills you'll gain: Angular, HTML and CSS, Application Frameworks, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, Web Development, Web Design, TypeScript, Responsive Web Design, UI Components
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Economía del Cambio Climático
Skills you'll gain: Supply And Demand, Economics, Environmental Policy, Behavioral Economics, International Relations, Big Data, Cost Benefit Analysis, Environmental Regulations, Tax, Mitigation, Mathematical Modeling, Market Analysis, Decision Making, Environmental Science
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Building Intelligent Troubleshooting Agents
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI Agents, Prompt Engineering, Test Case, Agentic systems, Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Debugging, Artificial Intelligence, Performance Tuning, Python Programming, Machine Learning
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
LearnQuest
The Java Language
Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Object Oriented Design, Development Environment
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
83 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Epic Games
Blueprint Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Data Management, Blueprinting, Video Game Development, Scripting, UI Components, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Debugging
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Introduction to Rust Programming and Core Concepts
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Development Environment, Programming Principles, Computer Programming Tools, Data Structures, Algorithms
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Holistic Mobile App Design & Development
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Docker (Software), Mobile Development, Cross Platform Development, Azure DevOps, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Containerization, Microservices, User Interface (UI), UI Components, ASP.NET, DevOps, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, .NET Framework, Unit Testing, Development Environment, Development Testing, Performance Tuning, Software Testing, Data Security
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 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
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
GenAI and LLMs on AWS
Skills you'll gain: AWS SageMaker, Large Language Modeling, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Amazon Web Services, Personally Identifiable Information, Amazon CloudWatch, Continuous Monitoring, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Ethics, Secure Coding, Prompt Engineering, Rust (Programming Language), Generative AI, Software Development Tools, Cloud Computing, Serverless Computing, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Infosec
Python for Command-and-control, Exfiltration and Impact
Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Cyber Operations, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Incident Response, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Python Programming, Encryption, Network Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
40 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks