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Coding is an in-demand skill in many industries, and you can accelerate your career by becoming an expert.
Consider an online course to learn how to code. This option is also ideal if you want to pursue coding as a hobby.
Quick Look: Best Courses to Learn How to Code
Here are Benzinga’s top picks:
- Programming for Kids and Beginners: Learn to Code in Scratch by Udemy
- Coding for Beginners: You Can Learn to Code! by Udemy
- Introduction to Computer Programming by the University of London Goldsmiths
- Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Introduction to Java Programming: Starting to Code in Java by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Coding for Designers, Managers and Entrepreneurs I by the University of Virginia
- JavaScript Basics by Team Treehouse
- Learn to Code with HTML – Beginner to Expert by Udemy
- Programming Foundations: Fundamentals by LinkedIn Learning
What Makes a Coding Course Great?
Here’s what to look for in an introductory coding course.
Hands-On Opportunities
The best coding courses for beginners feature hands-on instruction that allows you to follow along without feeling confused or overwhelmed. Look for options with facilitators who take an interactive approach and offer projects and assignments to complete.
Self-Paced
Some get the mechanics of coding right away while others need more time. Avoid courses that impose strict deadlines to ensure you have ample time to review the material and fully understand the core concepts introduced in the lessons before moving on to other segments. Otherwise, you could find yourself skipping over vital information that you should fully comprehend to be an effective coder.
Affordable
Coding courses are available for all budgets. A higher price point doesn’t always equate to more value, so carefully evaluate your top options and eliminate courses that are out of your budget. Strapped for cash? Enroll in a free class and only consider those with an enrollment fee later when you have more wiggle room in your budget.
Our Top Picks
We’ve scoured the web to bring you the best courses to learn how to code from Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, Team Treehouse and Udemy. We’ve provided detailed information on each class and the price point to facilitate the decision-making process.
Best Courses to Learn How to Code
Learn coding from scratch to accelerate your career or expand your knowledge. These courses provide step-by-step instructions to show you how.
1. Programming for Kids and Beginners: Lead to Code in Scratch by Udemy
Price: On sale
Whether you’re a coding beginner or searching for an option for your little one to learn the ropes, look no further than this highly rated course from Udemy.
It’s facilitated by Software Engineer Daniel Ciocîrlan and features 7.5 hours of on-demand video lectures and 9 downloadable resources. The lessons are interactive and include activities that entail creating animations and effects from highly touted games, including:
- The Basic Blocks
- Pong
- Paint in Scratch!
- Shoot the Monster
- Flappy Bird
- Pac-Man
You can get started in minutes and receive a certificate of completion when you reach the finish line.
2. Coding for Beginners: You Can Learn to Code! by Udemy
Price: On sale
Offered by Applause Interactive, this Udemy bestseller is designed for aspiring programmers and individuals who want to learn the fundamentals of coding from scratch.
Coding for Beginners: You Can Learn to Code! is comprised of the following modules:
- You can Code!
- Coding in a Nutshell
- Common Coding Concepts
- Coding Project
- Course Summary
Its 34 lectures delve into bugs, pseudocode, decomposition, operators, lists, functions and so much more. You’ll also be tasked with completing a coding project to implement your newfound skills in a practice setting.
Take advantage of promotional pricing by registering today. The enrollment fee includes full lifetime access to 8 hours of on-demand video, 2 articles and 1 downloadable resource.
3. Introduction to Computer Programming by the University of London Goldsmiths
Price: Free
The University of London Goldsmiths brings you this introductory course on computer programming. It’s the first installment in the Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization.
Co-instructors Simon Katan, lecturer in computing, and Edward Anstead, associate lecturer, cover the essentials of writing computer programming with lessons on creating 2D graphics, editing and running programs and more.
Introduction to Computer Programming consists of 3 segments:
- Your Development Environment
- Drawing in 2D
- Variables, Objects and Interaction
There’s no cost to enroll.
4. Introduction to Java Programming: Starting to Code in Java by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Price: Free
Presented by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Introduction to Java Programming: Starting to Code in Java will teach you how to start building programs with ease. It’s a component of the Introduction to Java Programming Professional Certificate Program.
This 5-week course consists of 5 segments:
- From the Calculator to the Computer
- State Transformation
- Functional Abstraction
- Object Encapsulation
- Packaging
Grab a free seat in this course or add a verified certificate for just $149.
5. Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Price: Free
Also a part of the Java Programming Professional Certificate Program, this beginner course from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is the perfect fit if you want to learn how to create more polished programs in Java. You can excel in this course with little to no experience as there are no prerequisites.
Here’s a quick look at the course syllabus:
- Debugging
- Reasoning and Testing
- Complexity
- Software Engineering
- Ethics
You’ll find lessons on the essential algorithm and Java programming concepts, program development with conditionals and loops, recursive algorithms and more. Ultimately, you’ll walk away with the expertise to build basic programs in Java.
You can register for free or upgrade your enrollment to receive a verified certificate for only $149.
6. Coding for Designers, Managers and Entrepreneurs I by the University of Virginia
Price: Free
Does your job require you to work alongside developers? If so, this course is worth considering. You will learn how to code with CSS and HTML so you can play an even more impactful role on projects.
Led by Alex Cowan, faculty and Batten Fellow in the Darden School of Business, Coding for Designers, Managers and Entrepreneurs I comprises the following modules:
- Prototyping with HTML
- Making HTML Manageable with CSS
- Debugging HTML and CSS
- Preparing Your Design for Development
- Your Working Prototype
Each module features video lectures and readings to facilitate your comprehension of the material. You will also take quizzes at the end of each module to identify areas where you are strong or need to spend more time to fully understand the material.
Enrollment is free.
7. JavaScript Basics by Team Treehouse
Price: Included with the monthly membership
This course from Team Treehouse is another viable option if you want to learn JavaScript from scratch. Instruction is provided by front end web development and full-stack JavaScript teacher Guil Hernandez.
JavaScript Basics includes 4 segments:
- Hello, JavaScript!
- Storing and Tracking Information with Variables
- Working with Strings
- Making Decisions in Your Code with Conditional Statements
By the end of the course, you will have a solid grasp on the essentials of programming, how JavaScript works and ways to use the programming language to solve challenges.
You can register for free if you have a monthly membership with Team Treehouse.
8. Learn to Code with HTML – Beginner to Expert by Udemy
Price: On sale
Seasoned web developer Husam Al-Ghamdi will show you how to code with HTML like the professionals in this popular course from Udemy. It’s suitable for individuals with minimal HTML knowledge or those with some experience under their belt who want to level up their skills to code with confidence.
Learn to Code with HTML — Beginner to Expert includes 6 sections:
- Introduction
- HTML Beginner Level
- HTML Intermediate Level
- HTML Advanced Level
- HTML Expert Level
- Conclusion
Register today to unlock 25 lectures and 1 article. You can also enroll with confidence — the course is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
9. Programming Foundations: Fundamentals by LinkedIn Learning
Price: Included with the monthly membership
In just 2 hours, you can learn how to program in an array of languages through this stellar course from LinkedIn Learning.
Programming Foundations: Fundamentals is instructed by Senior Engineering Manager Annyce Davis. She teaches you how to write source code, work with numbers and strings, boost efficiency with functions, troubleshoot programming errors and so more.
Take a quick look at how the lessons are categorized:
- Programming Basics
- Programming Syntax
- Variables and Data Types
- Conditional Code
- Modular Code
Enrollment is included with a monthly LinkedIn membership. Not yet a member? Register for a 1-month trial to get a free seat in the course.
Find the Best Coding Courses for You
Don’t spend hours sifting through online tutorials and articles that teach you how to code. Instead, start with one of our top picks to learn the basics. They feature interactive instruction from seasoned programmers who impart nuggets of wisdom that will assist you in your quest for coding knowledge.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community