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
IBM
IBM COBOL Data and File Management
Skills you'll gain: COBOL (Programming Language), Job Control Language (JCL), IBM DB2, z/OS, Mainframe Computing, Relational Databases, File Management, Data Management, Databases, Computer Programming Tools, Data Storage, Programming Principles, Data Structures
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Frontend Development using Angular
Skills you'll gain: Angular, HTML and CSS, Application Frameworks, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, Web Development, Web Design, TypeScript, Responsive Web Design, UI Components
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
Applying Python for Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Manipulation, Business Analytics, Statistics, Data Visualization Software, Descriptive Statistics, Data Cleansing, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Correlation Analysis, Python Programming
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Introduction to Machine Learning in Sports Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Supervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Feature Engineering, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Machine Learning Algorithms, Predictive Modeling, Analytics, Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Random Forest Algorithm
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Newborn Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Respiratory Care, Maternal Health, Child Health, Preventative Care, Nursing Care, Vital Signs, Patient Evaluation, Parent Communication, Pediatrics, Nursing and Patient Care, Health Assessment, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Cardiology, Caregiving, Patient Education and Support
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
87 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Design of Digital Circuits with VHDL Programming
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Electronics Engineering, Hardware Design, Electronic Hardware, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, Verification And Validation, Simulation and Simulation Software, Integrated Development Environments, Simulations
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
The Java Language
Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Object Oriented Design, Development Environment
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
83 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill® Digital Navigator Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Cultural Responsiveness, Community Outreach, Educational Materials, Intercultural Competence, Relationship Building, Active Listening, Cultural Diversity, Digital Transformation, Disabilities, Community Development, Cultural Sensitivity, Trustworthiness, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Professionalism, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Digital Communications, Computer Security Awareness Training, Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Natural Language Processing, Application Development, Data Store, Data Storage Technologies
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Social Media Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Data Visualization, Graph Theory, Relational Databases, Data Visualization Software, Data Storytelling, Data Analysis, Data Literacy, Social Sciences, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, R Programming, Analytical Skills, Data Manipulation, Facebook, Sociology, Natural Language Processing, Text Mining, Analytics, Trend Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Google Cloud
Introduction to Dart
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Beginner · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Ciência de Dados para Finanças
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Mining, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization, FinTech, Data Visualization Software, Deep Learning, Data Modeling, R Programming, Predictive Analytics, Data Science, Data Analysis, Business Analytics, Data Processing, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Machine Learning, Financial Market, Business Intelligence, Data Structures
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
78 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months