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
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Researcher's Guide to Omic Data
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Data Processing, Data Analysis, Data Literacy, Research Design, Exploratory Data Analysis, Metadata Management, Experimentation, Science and Research, R Programming, Scientific Methods, Spatial Analysis, Data Collection, Data Quality, Data Validation, Quantitative Research, Biology, Qualitative Research, Analysis
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
RStudio for Six Sigma - Basic Descriptive Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Pareto Chart, Histogram, Statistical Analysis, Six Sigma Methodology, Box Plots, R Programming, Probability Distribution, Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Java: Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Java, Java Programming, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Tuning
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Building Resilient Streaming Analytics Systems on GCP 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Dataflow, Google Cloud Platform, Data Pipelines, Real Time Data, Big Data, Data Processing, Analytics, SQL, Scalability, Performance Tuning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Mycelium Growth with NetLogo Web
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Environment, Simulations, Agentic systems, Microbiology, Biology, Programming Principles, Mathematical Modeling, Network Analysis
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Johns Hopkins University
مجموعة أدوات عالم البيانات
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Data Transformation, Data Science, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, R Programming, Collaborative Software, Software Installation, Command-Line Interface
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
107 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) and the Jakarta Persistence API (JPA)
Skills you'll gain: Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Object-Relational Mapping, Application Servers, Middleware, Application Deployment, Enterprise Architecture, Server Side, Transaction Processing, Business Logic
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Illinois Tech
Building with Code: Programming Fundamentals and Open Source
Skills you'll gain: Open Source Technology, Package and Software Management, Web Development, Linux, Shell Script, Database Design, Relational Databases, Web Applications, Web Development Tools, Test Driven Development (TDD), Python Programming, Linux Administration, Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Full-Stack Web Development, Application Deployment, Bash (Scripting Language), Scripting Languages, Computer Programming, Development Testing
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Data Access, Database Design, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), SQL, Java, Database Management, Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
AI Workflow: Enterprise Model Deployment
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), PySpark, IBM Cloud, Jupyter, Machine Learning, Containerization, Python Programming, Performance Tuning, Scalability, Design Thinking
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
API Testing with Karate Framework
Skills you'll gain: Application Programming Interface (API), Test Tools, Behavior-Driven Development, Test Automation
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Numerical Analysis, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Engineering Calculations, Torque (Physics), Mathematical Modeling, Matlab
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months