C Programming: Getting Started - 1 (Coursera)

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.

Course 1 of 7 in the C Programming with Linux Specialization.

What You Will Learn

- Define, distinguish and give examples of hardware/software, computer programs/algorithms

- Explain the concept of a variable and declare, initialize and modify variables of data types int, double and char

- Create and comment simple C-programs that may print text, special characters and variables to the screen with controlled formatting

- Create simple C-programs that utilize for-loops to repeat blocks of instructions

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