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
Packt
Introduction to Rust Programming and Core Concepts
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Development Environment, Programming Principles, Computer Programming Tools, Data Structures, Algorithms
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Economía del Cambio Climático
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Policy, Economics, Supply And Demand, Economic Development, Behavioral Economics, Environmental Regulations, Public Policies, Cost Benefit Analysis, Tax, Market Dynamics, World History, Environmental Science, Big Data, Decision Making
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
DevOps and Build Automation with Python
Skills you'll gain: Containerization, Package and Software Management, Software Testing, Docker (Software), Unit Testing, Scripting, Development Testing, CI/CD, Test Automation, Integration Testing, DevOps, Python Programming, Web Scraping
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development with Python
Skills you'll gain: Web Development, Flask (Web Framework), Restful API, Selenium (Software), Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Secure Coding, Object-Relational Mapping, JavaScript Frameworks, Application Security, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, HTML and CSS, Back-End Web Development, Databases, Application Programming Interface (API), Microsoft Azure, Vue.JS, Relational Databases
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Introduction to Java as a Second Language
Skills you'll gain: Java, Java Programming, Eclipse (Software), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Computer Programming, Program Development, Virtual Machines, Web Applications, Software Installation
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to SQL Window Functions
Skills you'll gain: SQL, PostgreSQL, Query Languages, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Linux Embedded System Topics and Projects
Skills you'll gain: Agile Methodology, Scrum (Software Development), Software Testing, Embedded Systems, Software Development Methodologies, Docker (Software), Git (Version Control System), Containerization, System Programming, Linux, C++ (Programming Language), Internet Of Things, IBM WebSphere MQ, File Systems
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
KodeKloud
Git Basics for DevOps
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Collaborative Software, DevOps, Software Development Tools, Linux, Open Source Technology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Big Data Analysis with Scala and Spark (Scala 2 version)
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Scala Programming, Apache Hadoop, Big Data, Data Manipulation, Distributed Computing, Data Processing, Performance Tuning, Programming Principles
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
University of London
Object-Oriented Programming in C++: Functions
Skills you'll gain: Pseudocode, C++ (Programming Language), Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Algorithms, Debugging, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, File Systems, Data Structures
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Machine Learning Rapid Prototyping with IBM Watson Studio
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Data Processing, Data Cleansing, Applied Machine Learning, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Predictive Modeling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Automation, Machine Learning Methods, Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Performance Tuning
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks