• 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


  • C

    Coursera

    Programming in C#: A comprehensive approach to C# Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Visual Studio, C# (Programming Language), Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Command-Line Interface, Computational Logic

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    219 reviews

    Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • D

    Dartmouth College

    Linux Basics: The Command Line Interface - 6

    Skills you'll gain: Command-Line Interface, Linux Commands, Linux, Embedded Systems, Linux Servers, Computer Engineering, File Systems, Unix, Operating Systems, C (Programming Language), Computer Programming, Open Source Technology

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    35 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • I

    Illinois Tech

    Introduction to Open Source Application Development

    Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, File I/O, Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Python Programming, Computer Programming, System Programming, Pseudocode, Program Development, Event-Driven Programming, Software Design, User Interface (UI), Data Structures

    Build toward a degree

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    21 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • N

    Northeastern University

    Basic Programming in Python II

    Skills you'll gain: Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Application Development, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Data Science, Data Analysis, Scripting, Data Structures, Debugging, Style Guides, Software Documentation

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • R

    Rice University

    Principles of Computing (Part 1)

    Skills you'll gain: Combinatorics, Probability, Programming Principles, Program Development, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Testing, Software Testing, Applied Mathematics, Debugging, Algorithms, Python Programming, Game Design, Simulations

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    584 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • C

    Coursera

    Basic Game Development with Levels using Scratch

    Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Game Design, Animation and Game Design, Program Development, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Application Development, Problem Solving, Design, Computer Science

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    141 reviews

    Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • P

    Packt

    Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Data Structures, Development Environment, Microsoft Visual Studio, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Programming, Software Installation, Algorithms, Debugging

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • C

    Codio

    Java Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects

    Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Documentation, Java Programming, Java, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Computational Thinking, Computer Science

    4.1
    Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
    ·
    21 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • P

    Packt

    Rust Basics and Core Concepts

    Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, Software Installation, Programming Principles, Integrated Development Environments, Command-Line Interface

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • D

    Dartmouth College

    C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management - 3

    Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Computer Architecture, Embedded Software, Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Program Development, Data Structures, Linux, Debugging

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    61 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • P

    Packt

    Java Programming Fundamentals and Object-Oriented Concepts

    Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Eclipse (Software), Computer Programming, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Data Structures, Software Installation

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • R

    Rice University

    Principles of Computing (Part 2)

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Data Structures, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Computer Science, Verification And Validation, Game Theory, Mathematical Modeling, Test Case, Simulations

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    365 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

1…8910…489

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

  • Programming in C#: A comprehensive approach to C# Fundamentals: Coursera
  • Linux Basics: The Command Line Interface - 6: Dartmouth College
  • Introduction to Open Source Application Development: Illinois Tech
  • Basic Programming in Python II: Northeastern University
  • Principles of Computing (Part 1): Rice University
  • Basic Game Development with Levels using Scratch: Coursera
  • Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials: Packt
  • Java Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects: Codio
  • Rust Basics and Core Concepts: Packt
  • C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management - 3: Dartmouth College

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

  • Accounting
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Project Management
  • Python
  • SQL

Professional Certificates

  • Google AI Certificate
  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Google Project Management Certificate
  • Google UX Design Certificate
  • IBM AI Engineering Certificate
  • IBM AI Product Manager Certificate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Certificate

Courses & Specializations

  • AI Essentials Specialization
  • AI For Business Specialization
  • AI For Everyone Course
  • AI in Healthcare Specialization
  • Deep Learning Specialization
  • Excel Skills for Business Specialization
  • Financial Markets Course
  • Machine Learning Specialization
  • Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT Course
  • Python for Everybody Specialization

Career Resources

  • Career Aptitude Test
  • CAPM Certification Requirements
  • CompTIA A+ Certification Requirements
  • CompTIA Security+ Certification Requirements
  • Essential IT Certifications
  • Free IT Certifications and Courses
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • PMP Certification Requirements
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

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