• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Degrees
​
Log In
Join for Free
  • Browse
  • Programming Basics

Programming Basics Courses

Programming basics courses can help you learn fundamental concepts like variables, control structures, data types, and functions. You can build skills in problem-solving, debugging, and writing clean, efficient code. Many courses introduce tools such as Git for version control, integrated development environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code, and programming languages like Python or JavaScript, which are commonly used in web development and software engineering.


Popular Programming Basics Courses and Certifications


  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Microsoft

    Introduction to Programming With C#

    Skills you'll gain: C# (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Debugging, .NET Framework, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Copilot, Computer Programming, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Event-Driven Programming

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    103 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Meta

    Programming Fundamentals in Swift

    Skills you'll gain: Swift Programming, Apple Xcode, iOS Development, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Mobile Development, Application Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Computer Programming, Web Development

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    273 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Meta

    Programming in Python

    Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Unit Testing, Test Driven Development (TDD), Programming Principles, Software Testing, Data Structures, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging, Django (Web Framework), Cloud Hosting

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.8K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    V

    Vanderbilt University

    Introduction to Programming with MATLAB

    Skills you'll gain: File I/O, Matlab, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Debugging, Mathematical Software, Development Environment, Computer Science, User Interface (UI), Data Structures, Engineering Calculations, Plot (Graphics), Problem Solving

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    18K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of London

    Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in C++

    Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Interactive Design, Program Development, File I/O, Command-Line Interface, Control Panels, Development Environment, Debugging

    Build toward a degree

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    179 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Meta

    Programming Fundamentals in Kotlin

    Skills you'll gain: Kotlin, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Programming Principles, Android Development, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Mobile Development, Debugging

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    343 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Santa Cruz

    C for Everyone, Part 1: Programming Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Software Documentation

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    6.8K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Microsoft

    Python Programming Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Debugging, Git (Version Control System), Unit Testing, Data Structures, Data Manipulation, Python Programming, Software Testing, Scripting, Computer Programming, Web Development, Algorithms, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    491 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Pennsylvania

    Introduction to Python Programming

    Skills you'll gain: File I/O, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Computer Programming Tools, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Jupyter

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.2K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Santa Cruz

    C, Go, and C++: A Comprehensive Introduction to Programming

    Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Go (Programming Language), File I/O, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Programming Principles, Software Design Patterns, Debugging, Computer Programming, Unit Testing, Algorithms, C (Programming Language), Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Graph Theory, Software Testing, Artificial Intelligence, Integration Testing, Software Design, Software Documentation

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    9.6K reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    I

    IBM

    Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases

    Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Cloud Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Computer Programming

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    460 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    R

    Rice University

    Python Programming Essentials

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Python Programming, Development Environment, Computer Programming, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3.6K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

1234…435

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular programming basics courses

  • Introduction to Programming With C#: Microsoft
  • Programming Fundamentals in Swift: Meta
  • Programming in Python: Meta
  • Introduction to Programming with MATLAB: Vanderbilt University
  • Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in C++: University of London
  • Programming Fundamentals in Kotlin: Meta
  • C for Everyone, Part 1: Programming Fundamentals: University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Python Programming Fundamentals: Microsoft
  • Introduction to Python Programming: University of Pennsylvania
  • C, Go, and C++: A Comprehensive Introduction to Programming: University of California, Santa Cruz

Other topics to explore

Arts and Humanities
338 courses
Business
1095 courses
Computer Science
668 courses
Data Science
425 courses
Information Technology
145 courses
Health
471 courses
Math and Logic
70 courses
Personal Development
137 courses
Physical Science and Engineering
413 courses
Social Sciences
401 courses
Language Learning
150 courses

Coursera Footer

Skills

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • English Speaking
  • Generative AI (GenAI)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Project Management
  • Python

Certificates & Programs

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Google Project Management Certificate
  • Google UX Design Certificate
  • IBM Data Analyst Certificate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • Machine Learning Certificate
  • Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certificate
  • UI / UX Design Certificate

Industries & Careers

  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Education & Teaching
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Marketing

Career Resources

  • Career Aptitude Test
  • Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
  • How to Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Preparing for the PMP Certification
  • Signs You Will Get the Job After an Interview
  • What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Coursera

  • About
  • What We Offer
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Coursera Plus
  • Professional Certificates
  • MasterTrack® Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Enterprise
  • For Government
  • For Campus
  • Become a Partner
  • Social Impact
  • Free Courses
  • Share your Coursera learning story

Community

  • Learners
  • Partners
  • Beta Testers
  • Blog
  • The Coursera Podcast
  • Tech Blog

More

  • Press
  • Investors
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • Directory
  • Affiliates
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Do Not Sell/Share
Learn Anywhere
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Logo of Certified B Corporation
© 2026 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Coursera Facebook
  • Coursera Linkedin
  • Coursera Twitter
  • Coursera YouTube
  • Coursera Instagram
  • Coursera TikTok