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: 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
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
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
CertNexus
Extract, Transform, and Load Data
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Processing, 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
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, User Interface (UI), Web Development, Web Development Tools, Scripting, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
102 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
University of Minnesota
Optimization for Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Mathematical Modeling, Business Modeling, Business Analytics, Analytics, Data Modeling, Business Mathematics, Process Optimization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Solution Design, Decision Making, Linear Algebra, Resource Allocation, Graphing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
73 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Capstone: Analyzing (Social) Network Data
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Graph Theory, Technical Communication, Data Structures, Social Sciences, Analytical Skills, Algorithms, Analysis, Computer Science, Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
iOS App Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Swift Programming, Apple iOS, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Interface (UI), Git (Version Control System), Apple Xcode, Mobile Development, User Experience, Wireframing, Application Development, Application Deployment
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · 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
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
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