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
Imperial College London
3D Graphics in Android: Sensors and VR
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Virtual Environment, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Android Development, Computer Graphics, Animation and Game Design, Computer Graphic Techniques, Application Development, Interactive Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Managing, Describing, and Analyzing Data
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Probability Distribution, Statistical Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, R Programming, Data Analysis, Data Literacy, Probability, Statistical Visualization, Histogram
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Application Programming Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Patterns, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Software Architecture, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Model View Controller
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Packt
The Complete Modern JavaScript Course with ES6
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Patterns, Data Structures, jQuery, Javascript, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design, Programming Principles, Maintainability, Web Development Tools, HTML and CSS, Event-Driven Programming, Development Environment, Application Development, Debugging
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Data Structures, Microsoft Copilot, .NET Framework, Algorithms, Back-End Web Development, C# (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Programming Principles, Microsoft Development Tools, Scalability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Howard University
Linear Algebra for Data Science Using Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Wrangling, Linear Algebra, Regression Analysis, Data Manipulation, NumPy, Predictive Modeling, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Python Programming, Statistical Modeling, Mathematical Software, Supervised Learning, Data Visualization Software, Jupyter, Data Analysis, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Machine Learning Methods, Numerical Analysis, Algebra
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Analyze Data in a Model Car Database with MySQL Workbench
Skills you'll gain: MySQL Workbench, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Exploratory Data Analysis, MySQL, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Database Design, SQL, Analytical Skills, Data Presentation, Technical Communication, Relational Databases
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Learn Selenium WebDriver with Java
Skills you'll gain: Selenium (Software), Java Programming, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Eclipse (Software), JUnit, Test Automation, Test Tools, Development Environment, Web Development Tools, Integrated Development Environments, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Computer Programming, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Software Testing, Test Case, Programming Principles, Test Execution Engine, Javascript and jQuery, Regression Testing
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Leeds
Programming for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Development Environment, Software Installation, Data Structures, Data Science, Software Documentation, Debugging
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Use AI Builder and Power Apps to Process Invoice Data
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Business Process Automation, Microsoft 365, Invoicing, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Document Management, Data Integration, Data Store
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Packt
Arduino For Beginners - 2023 Complete Course
Skills you'll gain: Electronic Components, Programming Principles, Electronics, Display Devices, Interactive Design, Computer Programming, Embedded Systems, Development Environment, Simulation and Simulation Software, Environmental Monitoring, Digital Communications, Debugging, Data Storage, Real Time Data
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
University of Michigan
Programação para todos (Conceitos básicos de Python)
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Algorithms, Debugging, Development Environment
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months