A basic introduction to coding and the concept of programming can launch countless career opportunities across the tech world. Whether in data science, cyber security, or software development, in-depth coding skills will help solidify a career. Read on to kickstart your coding career with the best coding courses for beginners.
Learn coding for beginners with the best introductory courses. These learning options will help you master binary coding, object-oriented programming, coding projects, and other basic programming techniques. Below, we’ve put together a guide that includes the duration, price, and an explanation of the top 10 intro to coding courses.
What Is Coding?
Coding, made up of lines of code, is the central building block of computer or software programs. A binary coding language essentially serves as a communication channel between the human programmer and computer software. Programmers use binary code to create software, mobile applications, websites, and databases.
Programmers can either use object-oriented, logic, functional, procedural, or scripting coding languages. According to a 2021 Stack Overflow survey, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python were the top four coding languages. Programming novices who want to acquire skills can start with popular languages to learn the power of coding and pave the way to a lucrative career.
How to Learn Coding for Beginners
- Introduction to programming courses. Online courses offer great introductory material and comprehensive programming lessons to help learn to code. Tons of massive open online course platforms including Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and EdX.org cover coding courses. Be sure to choose courses that cover programming basics and binary code.
- Intro to coding books. Although coding is a computer-based task, you can still learn it via textbooks. A multitude of beginner coding books can help you master basic concepts and acquire problem-solving skills vital for a coding career. You can gain basic coding knowledge through the book’s simple explanations of coding techniques and skills.
- Coding bootcamps. Coding bootcamps are short-term and tech-intensive programs that help you master tech subjects and enter a tech-based profession. You can attend the best coding bootcamps to gain basic coding knowledge and master coding skills. This method requires a higher financial and time commitment than books and courses.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Programming. Learning the basic concepts of coding isn’t limited to short-term and one-time learning methods. You can gain in-depth programming experience by choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Mobile Development, Cyber Security, or Data Science, all of which offer programming lessons.
- Self-taught avenues. Still another option is to learn coding at home and at your own pace. Several online videos and free self-paced courses exist to help you write lines of code. You can build a strong foundation with extensive practice, commitment, and ample hands-on exercises.
Best Coding Courses for Beginners
| Course Name | Provider | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming | Coursera | Enroll for free | Around 12 hours |
| Coding for Beginners 1: You Can Learn to Code! | Udemy | $120 | 11.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Computer Programming | Khan Academy | Free | Self-paced |
| How to Code: Simple Data | edX | Free; upgrade available for $125 | Self-paced |
| Intro to Programming | Udacity | $399 per month | 4 months |
| Introduction to Programming for Beginners | Udemy | $110 | 6 hours of on-demand video |
| JavaScript Introduction | edX | Free, upgrade available for $199 | Self-paced |
| Learn HTML & CSS | Flatiron School | Free | Self-paced |
| Learning to Program – Part 1: Getting Started | Pluralsight | $29 per month | 3 hours, 12 minutes |
| Pre-Programming: Everything You Need to Know Before You Code | Udemy | $85 | 6.5 hours of on-demand video |
The Best Intro to Coding Courses: Explained
Taking the best intro to coding courses can jumpstart your career across tons of high-paying professions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook rate for software developers is projected to grow by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030. You can enter this lucrative and in-demand field by investing in the best introduction to coding courses.
Below are the top 10 best coding courses for beginners. The list covers both free and paid intro to coding courses as newbies attempt to learn the power of coding. Choose the courses that match your learning, financial, and scheduling preferences.
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming | Coursera
This course covers the basics of computer programming. It is best suited for coding novices who want guidance on basic programming flows. It covers the function blocks of code snippets, basic coding flows, algorithms, Scratch, and visual programming language. You can opt for a paid version of the course to get a verified certification and professor guidance.
Coding for Beginners 1: You Can Learn to Code! | Udemy
Udemy is a popular online course platform that offers a broad range of courses. This coding for beginners course is a great way to solidify your coding understanding. It includes test-based coding, programming syntax, source code snippets, and Scratch. It also covers several popular programming languages for beginners. You will learn Python, Ruby, JavaScript, and Go.
Computer Programming | Khan Academy
This course for a code beginner is an excellent resource for students looking to get a strong grasp of coding fundamentals. It covers the coding tools and fundamental principles of tons of popular languages. It covers JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, and jQuery. You can learn the basic concepts of coding, application development, and relational database languages.
How To Code: Simple Data | edX
This course is part of a programming nanodegree and is good for computer science beginners wanting to learn basic coding languages and other high-paying skills. You can use this edX course to venture into a lucrative tech job as a software engineer. According to PayScale, the average salary of a software engineer is $88,540.
This course covers software development techniques, systematic programming methods, and program designs. This course does not require a coding background, but having an understanding of code snippets is helpful.
Introduction to Programming | Udacity
If you want to get a comprehensive education in beginners coding and can commit four months, then this Udacity course might be for you. It is part of a programming nanodegree that helps its students get a strong grasp of coding fundamentals.
Students will learn Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This course is best suited for those who want to become web developers. It covers dynamic web applications, binary unit, web programming, simple sequences, web API, and program designs.
Introduction to Programming for Beginners | Udemy
This course covers the fundamentals of coding and the art of programming. You will learn the basics of light sequences, nesting loops, arithmetic operators, conditional operators, and low-level programming languages, as well as the fundamentals of Python and JavaScript. Tons of Udemy courses are offered via on-demand videos and at a self-paced schedule.
JavaScript Introduction | edX
This course is for aspiring software developers, web designers, game developers, or web developers who need an introduction to JavaScript. It covers JavaScript syntax, code debugging, interactive websites, HTML5 elements, CSS, basic animations, and graphics. You will also learn DOM API, conditional operators, data structures, and JSON.
Learn HTML & CSS | Flatiron School
This is a top coding bootcamp that offers this free introductory HTML and CSS course to help aspiring developers get acquainted with the languages. Users will learn to build their first webpage and the basics of these programming languages. They can also choose to enroll in Ruby, JavaScript, or API integration beginners courses.
Learning to Program – Part 1: Getting Started | Pluralsight
This is a great beginner’s course that covers modular programming, basic coding flows, source code snippets, variable blocks, light sequences, nesting loops, and asynchronous tasks. It offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of coding and programming languages. You will also learn JavaScript and get the academic foundations needed to learn advanced coding.
Pre-Programming: Everything You Need to Know Before You Code | Udemy
The process of learning to code requires you to acquire a certain educational and skill-based tech understanding. This Udemy course will help you attain those skills. It covers the fundamentals of programming, coding careers, programming technologies, and basic programming languages.
Is Learning Coding Worth It?
Yes, there are many benefits of learning to code which makes it worth it for everyone who wants a successful career in tech or data science fields. Coding skills are highly in-demand and versatile. You can jumpstart a career in software development, cyber security, data science, artificial intelligence, or web development, or you can start learning it in preparation for a computer science degree.
Having in-depth coding skills provides you with the building blocks needed to excel at most tech positions. We hope that our list of the best introduction to coding courses will help you acquire these lucrative skills.
Introduction to Coding FAQ
You can learn to code with a number of different in-person and online resources. These include online courses, programming nanodegrees, bachelor’s degrees, coding bootcamps, coding books, and self-taught videos.
Introduction to coding courses typically cover lines of code, algorithm development, simple sequences, arithmetic tasks, asynchronous tasks, function blocks, and low-level languages. Depending on the course, you will learn basic Python, JavaScript, HTML, or CSS.
Yes, you can get an introduction to coding on your own using online self-taught resources. You can use coding books, self-paced courses, or online videos to gain ample programming experience. Be sure to get extensive practice and do ample hands-on exercises to build a strong foundation in programming.
The best beginner coding languages are JavaScript, Python, Java, Kotlin, C, PHP, Ruby, and C++. Your choice of beginner coding language also depends on your dream coding career.
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