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: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Java Fundamentals - Getting Started with Java
Skills you'll gain: Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development Life Cycle, Program Development, Development Environment, Computer Programming, Software Development, Integrated Development Environments, Linux, Command-Line Interface
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Mastering Java - From Beginner to Intermediate
Skills you'll gain: IntelliJ IDEA, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Integrated Development Environments, Software Development Life Cycle, Program Development, Java Programming, Computer Programming, Development Environment, Data Structures, Debugging, Software Development, Programming Principles, Linux, Command-Line Interface
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Board Infinity
Designing and Documenting APIs with OpenAPI Specification
Skills you'll gain: ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Servers, Restful API, C# (Programming Language), Back-End Web Development, Database Development, JSON, SQL, .NET Framework, Web Services, Server Side, Programming Principles, Application Programming Interface (API), API Design, Database Management, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Extensible Markup Language (XML)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Modern JavaScript from The Beginning [Second Edition]
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Node.JS, Full-Stack Web Development, Webpack, Application Deployment, Web Development Tools, Unit Testing, Javascript, Application Development, Back-End Web Development, Event-Driven Programming, Data Structures, Restful API, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Programming Principles, JSON, Application Programming Interface (API), HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
JavaScript Fundamentals & The DOM
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Event-Driven Programming, Data Structures, Programming Principles, HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development, Web Applications, Web Development Tools, Debugging
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Applied Machine Learning in Python
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Applied Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Decision Tree Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Random Forest Algorithm
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.6K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp EdTech
Java Development with Databases
Skills you'll gain: Hibernate (Java), Object-Relational Mapping, Spring Boot, Restful API, Java, NoSQL, Database Development, Databases, SQL, Database Design, Java Programming, Data Access, Database Management, Relational Databases, Back-End Web Development, Query Languages
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Board Infinity
Introduction to JUnit
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Eclipse (Software), Java Programming, Development Environment, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Unit Testing, Debugging, Virtual Machines
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
NLP – Embeddings & Text Preprocessing in Python
Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Text Mining, Data Processing, Applied Machine Learning, Data Transformation, Unstructured Data, Feature Engineering, Machine Learning Algorithms, Computer Programming
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Natural Language Processing - Deep Learning Models in Python
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Neural Networks, Python Programming, Text Mining, Machine Learning Methods
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Packt
Master ChatGPT & OpenAI APIs – Build AI Tools in Python
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, Python Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Technical Communication, Natural Language Processing, Application Programming Interface (API), Application Development, User Interface (UI)
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
FPGA Design for Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Electronic Systems, System Design and Implementation, Embedded Systems, Electronics Engineering, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Electronics, Program Development, Eclipse (Software), Software Development, Embedded Software, Integrated Development Environments, Verification And Validation, Computer Architecture, Computer Engineering, Development Environment, Schematic Diagrams, Programming Principles, Development Testing
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months