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

IBM
IBM Product Manager
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, New Product Development, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Agile Software Development, Product Development, Innovation, Product Roadmaps, Agile Methodology, Kanban Principles, Product Planning, Product Strategy, Product Testing, Project Management Life Cycle, Agile Project Management, User Story, Stakeholder Engagement, Sprint Retrospectives, Stakeholder Management, Competitive Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Peking University
计算导论与C语言基础
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Computer Science, Computer Architecture, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computational Logic, Computer Hardware, Data Structures, Algorithms, Emerging Technologies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months
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
University of California San Diego
Object Oriented Java Programming: Data Structures and Beyond
Skills you'll gain: Unit Testing, Growth Mindedness, Data Structures, Graph Theory, Event-Driven Programming, Interactive Data Visualization, Java, Network Analysis, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Technical Communication, Development Testing, User Interface (UI), Java Programming, Software Testing, Computer Programming, Adaptability, Object Oriented Design, Performance Tuning, Algorithms, Software Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
California Institute of the Arts
UI / UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, Wireframing, Persona (User Experience), Mockups, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, Web Design, UI/UX Strategy, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Graphic and Visual Design, User Research, Web Language, HTML and CSS, User Flows, Design Elements And Principles, Human Computer Interaction, Typography
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Peking University
C程序设计进阶
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C (Programming Language), Program Development, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Algorithms
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
827 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Google Cloud
Digital Transformation Using AI/ML with Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Serverless Computing, Digital Transformation, Cloud Services, Data Ethics, Cloud Infrastructure, Google Cloud Platform, Application Programming Interface (API), Applied Machine Learning, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Cloud Computing, Public Cloud, Technical Management, Business Transformation, Containerization, Technology Strategies, Cloud-Native Computing, Multi-Cloud, IT Management, Machine Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Using Databases with Python
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, Database Design, SQL, Databases, Web Scraping, Data Modeling, Database Management, Data Visualization Software, Object-Relational Mapping, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Processing, Python Programming, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
21K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
IBM
IBM Project Manager
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Agile Software Development, Project Management Life Cycle, Resource Management, Risk Management, Peer Review, Earned Value Management, Stakeholder Management, Agile Methodology, Project Risk Management, Team Motivation, Kanban Principles, Project Schedules, Resource Planning, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Stakeholder Communications, Project Management, IT Management, Interviewing Skills, Professional Networking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Google
Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Operating Systems, File Systems, Linux Commands, Linux, SQL, Unix, Database Management, Command-Line Interface, Relational Databases, Authorization (Computing), Authentications, User Accounts
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks