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
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
University of California San Diego
Learn to Teach Java
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Programming Principles, Java Programming, Pedagogy, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Software Design, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Cultural Responsiveness, Test Case, Pseudocode, Algorithms, Data Structures, Technical Communication
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Northeastern University
Machine Learning in Healthcare: Fundamentals & Applications
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Health Informatics, Big Data, Applied Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Algorithms, Random Forest Algorithm, Deep Learning, Health Care, Unsupervised Learning, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Healthcare Ethics, Algorithms, Data Cleansing, Artificial Neural Networks
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
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
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Predictive Modeling with Logistic Regression using SAS
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Predictive Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Big Data, Regression Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Machine Learning, Feature Engineering, Performance Analysis, Performance Measurement, Statistical Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Cloud SQL for MySQL: Qwik Start
Skills you'll gain: MySQL, Database Administration, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Hosting, Database Management, Cloud Management, SQL
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Create a High-Fidelity Prototype with Figma
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, Figma (Design Software), Mobile Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Mockups, Collaborative Software
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
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
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
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