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

Coursera Project Network
Exception Handling in Python
Skills you'll gain: Code Review, Debugging, Scripting, Python Programming, Programming Principles
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
68 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Learn Spring Boot in 100 Steps - Beginner to Expert
Skills you'll gain: JUnit, Spring Boot, Apache Maven, Spring Framework, Unit Testing, Hibernate (Java), Web Applications, Restful API, Application Development, Web Development, Application Deployment, Application Frameworks, Software Testing, Java, Test Case, Object-Relational Mapping, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Development Environment, Database Management, Gradle
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Illinois Tech
Relational Database Implementation and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, Database Design, Database Management, SQL, Database Development, MySQL, Transaction Processing, Stored Procedure, Java, Data Integrity, Data Structures, Performance Tuning
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Cloud Data Security
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Security, Data Security, Cloud Services, Cloud Storage, Personally Identifiable Information, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Integrity, Relational Databases, Identity and Access Management, Encryption, SQL
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Science Methods for Quality Improvement
Skills you'll gain: Process Capability, Statistical Inference, Correlation Analysis, Probability Distribution, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Visualization, Descriptive Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Process Controls, Statistics, Data Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Analysis, Scientific Visualization, Systems Analysis, Data Literacy, Data Analysis Software, R Programming, Quality Control
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Michigan
Introducción al HTML5
Skills you'll gain: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Web Design, Web Design and Development, Usability, Web Applications, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Content, Verification And Validation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Python for Data Visualization:Matplotlib & Seaborn(Enhanced)
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plot (Graphics), Scatter Plots, Histogram, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Packt
Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals & Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Risk Analysis, Portfolio Management, Financial Analysis, Risk Management, Financial Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Investment Management, Simulations, Financial Forecasting, Python Programming, Matplotlib, Pandas (Python Package), Jupyter, NumPy, Data Manipulation
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
University of Toronto
Data Visualization for Genome Biology
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Bioinformatics, Ggplot2, Dimensionality Reduction, Scatter Plots, R Programming, Network Analysis, Heat Maps, Molecular Biology, Design Thinking
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Python for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Data Wrangling, Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Jupyter, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Descriptive Statistics, Data Transformation, Applied Machine Learning, Data Cleansing, Python Programming
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Python for Data Visualization: Matplotlib & Seaborn
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Histogram, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization, Seaborn, Scatter Plots, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization, Graphing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
67 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Effective Communication for Project Stakeholders and Teams
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Communication, Growth Mindedness, Target Audience, Constructive Feedback, Communication Strategies, Stakeholder Communications, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Interpersonal Communications, Project Management
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months