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Computer Programming Courses for Beginners

Beginner computer programming courses can help you learn coding basics, data types, control structures, and simple algorithms. You can build skills in problem-solving, debugging, and writing clean, efficient code. Many courses introduce tools like Python, JavaScript, and integrated development environments (IDEs) such as Visual Studio Code, that support writing and testing your programs. You'll also explore concepts like functions, loops, and conditionals, providing a solid foundation for further study in software development or data analysis.

Popular Beginner Computer Programming Courses and Certifications


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  • I

    IBM

    Python for Data Science, AI & Development

    Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Python Programming, NumPy, Scripting, Data Collection, Data Analysis

    4.6 stars, 44K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.6 (44K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Michigan

    Python 3 Programming

    Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, JSON, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), File I/O, Software Design, Software Design Documents, Debugging, Object Oriented Design, Data Processing, Diagram Design, Unit Testing, Programming Principles, Program Development, Python Programming, Data Import/Export, Data Wrangling, Restful API, Image Analysis, Data Manipulation, Computer Programming

    4.8 stars, 23K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (23K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • P

    Princeton University

    Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Code Reusability, Other Programming Languages, Java Programming, Java, Program Development, Computational Thinking, Computer Science, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Animations

    4.7 stars, 1.4K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (1.4K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Free
    Free
  • U

    University of London

    Introduction to Computer Science and Programming

    Skills you'll gain: Computer Science, Debugging, Development Environment, Computer Systems, Web Applications, Arithmetic, Computer Literacy, General Networking, Javascript, Network Security, Computer Networking, Application Security, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming Tools, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Applied Mathematics, Computer Programming, General Mathematics, Numerical Analysis, Problem Solving

    4.2 stars, 1.6K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.2 (1.6K) · Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
    Category: Build toward a degree
    Build toward a degree
  • C

    Coursera

    Create Your First Python Program From UST

    Skills you'll gain: Python Programming, Command-Line Interface, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Scripting, Computer Programming Tools, Program Development, Development Environment

    4.6 stars, 3.1K reviews, Beginner, Guided Project, Less Than 2 Hours

    ★ 4.6 (3.1K) · Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    Category: Free
    Free

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • I

    IBM

    Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases

    Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Cloud Computing Architecture, Generative AI Agents, Systems Development Life Cycle, Cloud Deployment, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cloud Services, Database Management Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development Methodologies, Data Strategy, Database Application, Programming Principles, Data Storage Technologies, Cross Platform Development, Package and Software Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Computer Programming, Other Programming Languages

    4.7 stars, 475 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (475) · 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, Software Development Tools, Development Environment, Data Storage, Functional Design, Integrated Development Environments, Software Documentation, Code Reusability, Data Import/Export, Jupyter

    4.6 stars, 1.3K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.6 (1.3K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of London

    Introduction to Computer Programming

    Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Development Environment, Javascript, Computer Programming Tools, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Program Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Computer Graphics, Computer Programming, Graphical Tools, Event-Driven Programming, Interactive Design, Human Computer Interaction, Programming Principles, Data Management, Maintainability

    4.1 stars, 937 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.1 (937) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Alberta

    Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Video Game Development, Game Design, Software Quality (SQA/SQC), Problem Solving, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Program Development, Algorithms, Python Programming, Computer Science, Debugging, Test Planning, Functional Testing, Other Programming Languages

    4.3 stars, 238 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.3 (238) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Free
    Free
  • C

    Chegg Skills

    Practical Python Programming

    Skills you'll gain: Pseudocode, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Program Development, Data Structures, Data Storage, Computational Logic, Computational Thinking, IT Automation, Code Reusability, Computer Programming, Back-End Web Development, Debugging, Problem Solving, Data Management

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • M

    Microsoft

    Microsoft Introduction to C++ Programming

    Skills you'll gain: File I/O, Memory Management, Debugging, Development Environment, C++ (Programming Language), C and C++, Software Documentation, Development Testing, Code Reusability, Vibe coding, Programming Principles, API Design, Software Architecture, Software Design, Computer Programming Tools, Pseudocode, Performance Tuning, Application Design, Technical Documentation, Generative AI

    4.4 stars, 52 reviews, Beginner, Professional Certificate, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.4 (52) · Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • M

    Meta

    Programming with JavaScript

    Skills you'll gain: JSON, Web Development Tools, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Javascript, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Software Testing, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Front-End Web Development, Unit Testing, Event-Driven Programming, Code Reusability, Web Applications, Node.JS, Software Engineering, Computational Logic, Debugging

    4.7 stars, 5K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (5K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial

What brings you to Coursera today?

1234…404

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

  • Python for Data Science, AI & Development: IBM
  • Python 3 Programming: University of Michigan
  • Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose: Princeton University
  • Introduction to Computer Science and Programming: University of London
  • Create Your First Python Program From UST: Coursera
  • Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases: IBM
  • Introduction to Python Programming: University of Pennsylvania
  • Introduction to Computer Programming: University of London
  • Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games: University of Alberta
  • Practical Python Programming: Chegg Skills

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