• 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.


More to explore:

Popular Programming Basics Courses and Certifications


  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    D

    Duke University

    Python Programming Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Algorithms, Problem Solving, Data Processing, Python Programming, Software Development, Data Analysis

    4
    Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    67 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Toronto

    Learn to Program: The Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Debugging, File I/O, Software Documentation, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Algorithms, Data Structures, Development Environment

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    6.7K 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
    ·
    522 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    B

    Ball State University

    Introduction to Programming

    Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Statistical Analysis, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Natural Language Processing, Scripting, NumPy, Algorithms, Debugging, Data Structures

    Build toward a degree

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    30 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    P

    Packt

    Foundations of Programming and Java Essentials

    Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Java, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Program Development, Data Structures, Pseudocode, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computational Thinking

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Washington

    Programming Languages, Part A

    Skills you'll gain: Software Installation, Programming Principles, Other Programming Languages, Functional Design, Computer Programming, Ruby (Programming Language), Theoretical Computer Science, Software Design, Computational Thinking

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.9K reviews

    Intermediate · 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

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    I

    International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore

    Introduction to Programming with C Language

    Skills you'll gain: File I/O, C (Programming Language), Programming Principles, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Program Development, Data Storage, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging, Problem Solving

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    8 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Microsoft

    C# Programming Fundamentals and Development Environment

    Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Version Control, Microsoft Copilot, C# (Programming Language), Git (Version Control System), Microsoft Visual Studio, .NET Framework, Program Development, Application Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Microsoft Development Tools, Development Environment, User Interface (UI), Programming Principles

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Leeds

    An Introduction to Programming using Python

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Robotics, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Automation, Algorithms, Debugging, Development Environment, Data Structures

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    106 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • 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: New
    New
    Status: Preview
    Preview
    E

    EDUCBA

    Apply Python Programming Fundamentals for Beginners

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Software Installation, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Development Environment

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

1234…481

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

  • Python Programming Fundamentals: Duke University
  • Learn to Program: The Fundamentals: University of Toronto
  • Python Programming Fundamentals: Microsoft
  • Introduction to Programming: Ball State University
  • Foundations of Programming and Java Essentials: Packt
  • Programming Languages, Part A: University of Washington
  • Python Programming Essentials: Rice University
  • Introduction to Programming with C Language: International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore
  • C# Programming Fundamentals and Development Environment: Microsoft
  • An Introduction to Programming using Python: University of Leeds

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