C Programming: Getting Started

Start learning one of the most powerful and widely used programming languages: C. Within moments you will be coding hands-on in a browser tool that will provide instant feedback on your code.

The C programming language is one of the most stable and popular programming languages in the world. It helps to power your smartphone, your car's navigation system, robots, drones, trains, and almost all electronic devices. C is used in any circumstances where speed and flexibility are important, such as in embedded systems or high-performance computing.

In this course, you will get started with C and learn how to write your first programs, how to make simple computations and print the results to the screen, how to store values in variables and how to repeat instructions using loops.

Beginners, even those without any programming experience, will be able to immediately start coding in C with the help of powerful yet simple coding tools right within the web browser. No need to install anything!

Why learn C and not another programming language? Did you know that smartphones, your car’s navigation system, robots, drones, trains, and almost all electronic devices have some C-code running under the hood? C is used in any circumstance where speed and flexibility are important, such as in embedded systems or high-performance computing.

C is a foundational programming language taught at engineering schools around the world, and represents one of the building blocks of modern computer information technology. Invented in the 1970’s. It is still one of the most stable and popular programming languages in the world.

We are excited to introduce you to the world of coding and launch you along your path to becoming a skilled C programmer!

This is the first course in the C Programming with Linux Specialization. This series of seven courses will establish your programming skills and unlock doors to careers in computer engineering.

This course has received financial support from the Patrick & Lina Drahi Foundation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Welcome and the History of C

This week you will write your first line of code and become familiar with our learning tools (without installing anything!).

Week 2: Printing, loops, and comments

This week you will to print text to the screen, utilize for-loops, explain their code by adding comments in various ways, and recognize the different sections of a simple C-program and their purposes (e.g. variable declaration, main function).

Week 3: Integers, variables and user input

This week, you will explore the concept of variables and use integer-type variables (of format specifier %d) through declarations, assignments, and reassignments. You will also utilize these integer-type variables in for-loops and with user input.

Week 4: Characters and doubles

This week you will utilize variables of type integer, double, and character through declarations, assignments, reassignments, printing, converting between types, casting, etc.. You will also create C-programs that perform tasks involving user input, integer and floating point arithmetic operations, and output to the screen.

Concluding the course

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches C, which is core to electronic devices

Offers instant feedback on code

Develops foundations for advanced computer science studies

Belongs to a larger 7-course series

Provides a solid introduction to programming

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 with these activities:

Read "C Programming: A Modern Approach" by K. N. King.

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This book will provide a solid foundation in C programming.

View C Programming: A Modern Approach, 2nd Edition on Amazon

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Read through the book, taking notes as needed.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Create a simple C program that implements the concepts you have learned.

Follow the C programming tutorials on the official C website.

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These tutorials will provide you with a guided introduction to C programming.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Visit the official C website.
Read through the tutorials.
Complete the exercises at the end of each tutorial.

Organize your class materials for easy reference.

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This activity will help you stay organized and make it easier to find the information you need.

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Create a system for organizing your materials.
File your materials according to your system.
Review your materials regularly.

Five other activities

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Solve C programming problems on LeetCode.

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This activity will help you develop your problem-solving skills and learn new C programming techniques.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Choose a problem to solve.
Read the problem statement carefully.
Design an algorithm to solve the problem.
Implement your algorithm in C.
Test and debug your solution.

Attend a C programming meetup.

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This activity will allow you to connect with other C programmers and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Find a C programming meetup in your area.
Attend the meetup.
Introduce yourself to other attendees.

Attend a C programming workshop.

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This activity will provide you with hands-on experience with C programming.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Find a C programming workshop in your area.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Build a simple text-based game in C.

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This project will help you apply the concepts you have learned in the course to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Design the game's story and mechanics.
Create the game's world and characters.
Write the game's code.
Test and debug the game.

Write a blog post about your experience learning C.

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This activity will help you reflect on what you have learned and improve your communication skills.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Choose a topic to write about.
Write an outline for your post.
Write the first draft of your post.
Edit and revise your post.

Career center

Learners who complete C Programming: Getting Started - 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is commonly used in software development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in web development, particularly for high-performance applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain the code that makes computers and software applications work. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is widely used in various industries for developing high-performance, efficient, and reliable software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms, both structured and unstructured. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in data science for high-performance computing or embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computing technologies and applications. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is widely used in various areas of computer science, including operating systems, embedded systems, and high-performance computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop embedded systems, which are computer systems that are designed to perform specific tasks within a larger system. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is widely used in embedded systems development due to its efficiency, performance, and reliability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in robotics for high-performance control systems and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Software Architect

Software Architects design and oversee the development of software systems. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in software architecture for high-performance and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify and mitigate security risks. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in security analysis for high-performance security systems and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design computer systems. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in systems analysis for high-performance computing and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in network engineering for high-performance networking and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in database management systems for high-performance computing and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

IT Manager

IT Managers plan and oversee the implementation and maintenance of computer systems. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in IT management for high-performance computing and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in computer support for high-performance computing and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation. This course in C Programming: Getting Started - 1 may be useful as it will help build a foundation in the C programming language, which is sometimes used in technical writing for documenting high-performance software and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer