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
Google Cloud
Developing Applications with Google Cloud: Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Applications, Application Deployment, Application Development, Authentications, Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Data Storage, Platform As A Service (PaaS), Cloud API, Authorization (Computing), CI/CD, Cloud Computing, Application Performance Management, Cloud Storage, Cloud Security, Serverless Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Computer Programming Tools, Containerization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Advanced Django: Introduction to Django Rest Framework
Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Postman API Platform, Restful API, Data Validation, Authentications, Authorization (Computing), Application Programming Interface (API), API Design, JSON, Object-Relational Mapping, Model View Controller
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Practical Quantum Computing with IBM Qiskit for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: IBM Cloud, Cryptography, Algorithms, Python Programming, Linear Algebra, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Theoretical Computer Science, Emerging Technologies, Test Case, Jupyter, Physics, Simulations, Software Installation, Debugging, Development Environment
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Analyze Box Office Data with Seaborn and Python
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Seaborn, Plotly, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Python Programming, Predictive Modeling, Jupyter, Cloud Applications, Statistical Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
180 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Introducción a las bases de datos
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, MySQL, Database Management Systems, Database Theory, SQL, Database Design, Databases, Query Languages, NoSQL, Data Integrity, Data Manipulation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
166 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
M2M & IoT Interface Design & Protocols for Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, API Design, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Programming Interface (API), Network Protocols, Microservices, Cloud Services, Embedded Systems, Serverless Computing, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Public Cloud, Node.JS
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
122 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Object Localization with TensorFlow
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Image Analysis, Computer Vision, Artificial Neural Networks, Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Python Programming
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
GenAI and LLMs on AWS
Skills you'll gain: AWS SageMaker, Large Language Modeling, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Amazon Web Services, Personally Identifiable Information, Amazon CloudWatch, Continuous Monitoring, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Ethics, Secure Coding, Prompt Engineering, Rust (Programming Language), Generative AI, Software Development Tools, Cloud Computing, Serverless Computing, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Amazon Web Services
Skills and Best Practices for Cloud Support Associates
Skills you'll gain: Root Cause Analysis, Customer Relationship Building, Customer Relationship Management, Problem Management, Verbal Communication Skills, Customer Support, Amazon Web Services, Communication, Cloud Solutions, Technical Support, Cloud Services, Automation, Incident Management, Generative AI, Innovation
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Python Basic Structures: Lists, Strings, and Files
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, Data Structures, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Python Programming, File Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
90 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
DeepLearning.AI
Functions, Tools and Agents with LangChain
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI Agents, OpenAI, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Application Development, Application Frameworks
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
95 reviews
Intermediate · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Economía del Cambio Climático
Skills you'll gain: Supply And Demand, Economics, Environmental Policy, Behavioral Economics, International Relations, Big Data, Cost Benefit Analysis, Environmental Regulations, Tax, Mitigation, Mathematical Modeling, Market Analysis, Decision Making, Environmental Science
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months