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

LearnQuest
Data Processing with Azure
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Azure, Big Data, Data Processing, Analytics, Data Pipelines, Databricks, Apache Spark, PySpark, Data Analysis, Data Warehousing, Extract, Transform, Load, Real Time Data, Data Transformation, Scheduling, Data Storage
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
67 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Playwright Python and Pytest for Web Automation Testing
Skills you'll gain: Test Automation, Authentications, Continuous Integration, Software Testing, Unit Testing, Event-Driven Programming, Scripting, Browser Compatibility, Behavior-Driven Development, Test Tools, Test Execution Engine, Test Case, GitHub, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), User Interface (UI), Verification And Validation, Debugging
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Deploy a website to Azure with Azure App Service
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Azure, CI/CD, Continuous Deployment, Development Environment, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, Docker (Software), Containerization, ASP.NET, Platform As A Service (PaaS), Scalability, Microsoft Visual Studio, Web Applications, Integrated Development Environments
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica
Introdução ao Controle Moderno
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Matlab, Engineering Analysis, Simulations, Systems Analysis, System Design and Implementation, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Estimation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
KodeKloud
Python for the Absolute Beginner
Skills you'll gain: Python Programming, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Debugging, Computer Programming, Scripting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
MathWorks
Machine Learning for Computer Vision
Skills you'll gain: Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Matlab, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Data Validation, Performance Testing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Introduction to Data Science and scikit-learn in Python
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Exploratory Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Data Manipulation, NumPy, Data Analysis, Data Processing, Python Programming, Regression Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Methods, Computer Programming, Data Structures
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Epic Games
User Interface in Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, User Interface (UI) Design, UI Components, Game Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Programming Principles, Prototyping, Motion Graphics
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Java Database Connectivity
Skills you'll gain: Stored Procedure, Hibernate (Java), PL/SQL, Relational Databases, Object-Relational Mapping, SQL, Data Access, Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Database Design, Databases, Java, Data Manipulation, Data Mapping, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Query Languages, Database Management, Database Systems, Transaction Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
54 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Python Scripting for DevOps
Skills you'll gain: Scripting, Scripting Languages, Python Programming, Computer Programming Tools, Devops Tools, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Program Development
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Learn to Teach Java
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Programming Principles, Pedagogy, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Software Design, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Cultural Responsiveness, Test Case, Pseudocode, Algorithms, Data Structures, Computer Science, Technical Communication
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Capstone (React App)
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Mobile Development, GitHub, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Version Control, User Experience Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Wireframing, UI Components, User Flows, Data Store, Development Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks