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
Packt
OOP concepts, Collections and Data Structures
Skills you'll gain: Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Debugging
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Master AWS DynamoDB
Skills you'll gain: Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Web Services, NoSQL, Database Management, Database Design, Development Environment, Command-Line Interface, Application Programming Interface (API), Software Development Tools, Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Scalability
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Mastering AWS CDK - Coding Cloud Architectures
Skills you'll gain: Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon Web Services, Cloud Development, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Cloud Computing Architecture, API Gateway, Development Environment, Serverless Computing, Amazon S3, Cloud Computing, Cloud Security, Event-Driven Programming, Amazon DynamoDB, Node.JS, Restful API, Software Development Tools, TypeScript
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera
Gonzo's Test Course 2
Skills you'll gain: Engineering, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Engineering Practices, General Science and Research, Physical Science, Science and Research
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Board Infinity
Salesforce Omnistudio
Skills you'll gain: Spring Framework, Scalability, Software Architecture, Maintainability, Java, Dependency Analysis, Software Design Patterns, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Testability, Transaction Processing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Advanced JavaScript & Object-Oriented Programming
Skills you'll gain: Application Development, Javascript, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), JSON, Application Programming Interface (API), Event-Driven Programming, Prototyping, Data Storage, Debugging
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Vector Search and Embeddings - 繁體中文
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Google Cloud Platform, Natural Language Processing, Application Programming Interface (API), Algorithms
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Matrix Calculus for Data Science & Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Calculus, Applied Mathematics, NumPy, Linear Algebra, Applied Machine Learning, Tensorflow, Machine Learning, Derivatives, Algorithms, Development Environment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Shiny for Python Ultimate - Web Development with Python
Skills you'll gain: User Interface (UI), Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, UI/UX Strategy, Application Deployment, Web Applications, Data Analysis, Front-End Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Dashboard, Spatial Data Analysis, Web Development, Application Development, Development Environment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Hands-on with Cisco Modeling Labs 2 (CML2)
Skills you'll gain: VMware ESX Servers, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Network Model, Software Installation, Command-Line Interface, Network Routers, Virtualization, Network Troubleshooting, Local Area Networks, Virtual Environment, General Networking, System Configuration, Simulations, Remote Access Systems, Application Programming Interface (API), System Requirements, Graphical Tools
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Build, Train and Deploy ML Models with Keras on Google Cloud - 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Data Pipelines, Google Cloud Platform, Deep Learning, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Data Processing, Artificial Neural Networks, Application Deployment, Scalability, Machine Learning, Data Transformation, Application Programming Interface (API)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Análisis de sistemas térmicos usando Python
Skills you'll gain: Thermal Management, Python Programming, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Chemical Engineering, Numerical Analysis, Process Analysis, Computer Programming Tools, Engineering Calculations, Plot (Graphics), Scientific Visualization
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months