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
IBM
Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Databases, Stored Procedure, Relational Databases, Database Design, Query Languages, Database Management, Data Analysis, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, Pandas (Python Package), Transaction Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos (PAP)
Skills you'll gain: Crisis Intervention, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Working With Children, Psychology, Stress Management, Patient Education And Counseling, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Sensitivity
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Writing, Running, and Fixing Code in C
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Software Testing, Program Development, Pseudocode, Simulations, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Development Environment, C (Programming Language), Command-Line Interface
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
804 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Applied DevOps Engineering
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Istio, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Continuous Integration, Agile Software Development, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin (Scripting Language), Jenkins, Kubernetes, DevOps, Code Coverage, OpenShift, Cloud Applications, Containerization, Agile Methodology, Behavior-Driven Development, Secure Coding, Grafana, System Monitoring
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.2K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Predictive Modeling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Pandas (Python Package), Statistical Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Manipulation, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Regression Analysis, Feature Engineering, Matplotlib, Data Cleansing, NumPy, Descriptive Statistics, Supervised Learning, Data Pipelines
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Problem Solving, Application Development, Collaboration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Solutions Architect
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Amazon CloudWatch, Data Lakes, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Web Services, Serverless Computing, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Scalability, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Event-Driven Programming, Cloud Security, Solution Architecture, Data Visualization, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Storage, Data Architecture, API Gateway, Data Infrastructure, AWS CloudFormation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Machine Learning with Python
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Jupyter, Unsupervised Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Python Programming, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Matplotlib, NumPy, Regression Analysis, Statistical Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Amazon Web Services
AWS Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Amazon CloudWatch, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Web Services, Serverless Computing, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Scalability, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Event-Driven Programming, Solution Architecture, Cloud Computing Architecture, Data Migration, Cloud Storage, API Gateway, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Cloud Management, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Security, Data Import/Export
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Database Design, Dashboard, MySQL, Relational Databases, SQL, Tableau Software, Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Data Visualization Software, Analytics, Data Visualization, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Business Process, Probability Distribution, Business Risk Management, Predictive Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Support Associate
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Command-Line Interface, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Root Cause Analysis, Amazon DynamoDB, Customer Relationship Building, Network Troubleshooting, Amazon Web Services, Customer Relationship Management, Software Architecture, IT Automation, Linux Commands, Cloud Computing, Linux, Amazon S3, Scalability, Technical Support, Web Applications
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Amsterdam
Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Scientific Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Research, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Correlation Analysis, Research Design, Research Reports, Science and Research, Interviewing Skills, Data Analysis, Probability, Data Collection, Statistical Inference, Social Sciences, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months