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

University of Colorado Boulder
Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Real-Time Operating Systems, Big Data, Product Development, Power Electronics, Analytics, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, File Systems, Internet Of Things, User Experience, Process Control, New Product Development, API Design, Data Analysis, Debugging, Machine Learning, User Interface (UI), Machine Controls, Embedded Software
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Status: New
Google Cloud
Mengintegrasikan Aplikasi dengan Gemini 1.0 Pro di GC
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Applications, Application Development, Cloud-Based Integration, Application Programming Interface (API), Cloud API, Test Case
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
SQL Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft SQL Servers, SQL, Transact-SQL, Databases, Database Management Systems, Relational Databases, Data Transformation, Data Manipulation, Data Access, Query Languages, Generative AI, Data Presentation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
JavaScript Data and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Software Testing, Application Programming Interface (API), Ajax, Javascript, JSON, Unit Testing, Maintainability, Restful API, Debugging, Web Applications, Performance Tuning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Google Cloud
Intégrer des applications avec Gemini 1.0 Pro sur Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Cloud Applications, Application Programming Interface (API), Development Testing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Data Manipulation and Transactions in SQL Server
Skills you'll gain: Transaction Processing, Database Management, Microsoft SQL Servers, Operational Databases, SQL, Data Manipulation, Relational Databases, Data Integrity, Generative AI, Performance Tuning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Master of Applied Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Storytelling, Database Design, Reinforcement Learning, Supervised Learning, Experimentation, PySpark, Interactive Data Visualization, Generative AI, Pandas (Python Package), Network Analysis, Deep Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Cloud Services, Natural Language Processing, JSON, Data Mining, Qualitative Research, Statistical Visualization, Unsupervised Learning
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Advanced Data Applications and Integration
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Course
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Web Development, HTML and CSS, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Semantic Web, Javascript, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Data Storage Technologies, Application Security, User Interface (UI), Data Validation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Science Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Unsupervised Learning, Data Mining, Statistical Modeling, Supervised Learning, Service Level, Deep Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Statistical Inference, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Dimensionality Reduction, Probability, Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Machine Learning, Probability & Statistics, Data Warehousing, Regression Analysis, Software Engineering, Performance Testing, Bash (Scripting Language), Data Science
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Status: New
Google Cloud
Integrar aplicativos com o Gemini 1.0 Pro no Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Application Development, Cloud Applications, Cloud-Based Integration, Prompt Engineering, Application Programming Interface (API)
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of London
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Human Computer Interaction, Game Design, Full-Stack Web Development, React Native, Agile Software Development, Animations, Data Ethics, Git (Version Control System), Event-Driven Programming, Network Security, Web Applications, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Unsupervised Learning, Combinatorics, Database Design, Web Development, Generative AI, Usability Testing
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years