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

Google Cloud
Introduction to APIs in Google
Skills you'll gain: Cloud API, JSON, Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API), Google Cloud Platform, Software Architecture, Authentications, Network Protocols
3.3
Rating, 3.3 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Simplilearn
Programming with C#
Skills you'll gain: C# (Programming Language), Restful API, Unity Engine, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C and C++, .NET Framework, Video Game Development, ASP.NET, Object-Relational Mapping, Web Services, Application Development, Software Design Patterns, Database Management, Model View Controller
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Combining and Analyzing Complex Data
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, Statistical Software, Data Integration, Data Ethics, Stata, R Programming, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Modeling, Descriptive Statistics, Regression Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Information Privacy
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Principal Component Analysis with NumPy
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, NumPy, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Seaborn, Matplotlib, Cloud Computing, Jupyter, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Python Programming, Linear Algebra
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
295 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Fine Tune BERT for Text Classification with TensorFlow
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, Data Processing, Data Pipelines
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
208 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Introduction to Visual Basic Programming
Skills you'll gain: Visual Basic (Programming Language), Development Environment, Program Development, Microsoft Development Tools, .NET Framework, Data Storage, Computer Programming, Computational Logic, Cross Platform Development, Command-Line Interface, Debugging
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Data Mining Project
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Text Mining, Unstructured Data, Big Data, Data Processing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Analysis, Technical Writing, Algorithms
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidade de São Paulo
Redes Ecológicas
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Data Visualization, Graph Theory, Exploratory Data Analysis, Environmental Science, Data Analysis, Ggplot2, R Programming, Tidyverse (R Package), Data Processing
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
35 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Python Basics: Selection and Iteration
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Scripting, Computational Logic, Scripting Languages, Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
259 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Introduction to iOS App Development with Swift 5
Skills you'll gain: Apple iOS, Swift Programming, Apple Xcode, Responsive Web Design, Mobile Development, Unit Testing, User Interface (UI), UI Components, Storyboarding
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
248 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Design and Build a Data Warehouse for Business Intelligence Implementation
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, Dashboard, Star Schema, Data Visualization Software, Data Mart, MicroStrategy, Business Intelligence, Data Integration, Data Architecture, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Modeling, Database Design, PostgreSQL, SQL, Analytical Skills, Query Languages, Data Transformation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
291 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Working with Data in Android
Skills you'll gain: Restful API, Android Development, Kotlin, Android Studio, Application Programming Interface (API), Mobile Development, Database Management, Databases, JSON, Web Applications, SQL, Data Access
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
57 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months