What are programming languages?

Programming languages are languages that are made up of instructions for computers and other machines to solve problems, perform tasks, or analyze data. A computer processes every action or bit of data into binary code, which consists of ones and zeroes. A programming language takes command from a human language and translates it into binary code for the computer to process. There are two types of programming languages: low-level and high-level. Low-level languages are closer to binary code and easier for the computer to understand, while high-level languages are more sophisticated and take more time for a machine to process.

Why is learning programming languages important?

Learning programming languages is important because you can use them to develop new software and applications that others can use. Computer programming is increasingly important in a technologically connected world, and if you know how to use programming languages, you can help create innovative technologies that make life easier and better for consumers. The computer industry will continue to grow, and companies are constantly looking for employees with a thorough knowledge of programming languages who can work to develop the next generation of applications and devices.

What career opportunities can arise from learning programming languages?

The computer programming industry has a vast array of lucrative jobs for employees who understand programming languages, from software and app developers to systems administrators to network security engineers. Opportunities include designing and programming apps and software as well as working as a programmer who helps correct errors in existing software packages. A job as a database administrator allows you to help clients analyze large amounts of information and even recover data that’s been lost. You can also find work as a systems or intelligence analyst and help companies match their computing power to their business objectives and take advantage of new trends.

How can online courses help me learn programming languages?

Online courses in programming languages can show you the basic structure and concepts behind the languages that computers and machines use today so that you can put them to use in your current workplace or in a brand new career. You might also learn the applications of various programming languages in different environments. Courses can help you understand Python, C++, Java, or other popular languages, as well as learn specific uses of these languages across multiple industries. You may also have the opportunity to discover the new programming languages that are on the horizon.

What are the benefits of taking an online Programming Languages course?

Online Programming Languages courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Programming Languages skills. Choose from a wide range of Programming Languages courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Programming Languages courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Programming Languages, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Programming Languages Courses - Learn Programming Languages Online

Explore the Programming Languages Course Catalog

Ball State University
Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Natural Language Processing, Data Science, Scripting, NumPy, Debugging, Data Manipulation
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
C Programming: Getting Started - 1
Skills you'll gain: C (Programming Language), Software Documentation, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Embedded Software, Debugging, Development Environment
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
248 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Data Science: Foundations using R
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Exploratory Data Analysis, Version Control, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Science, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Programming, Ggplot2, Big Data, Git (Version Control System), Data Integration, Knitr, Data Analysis, Data Sharing, Statistical Reporting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Fundamentals of Java Programming
Skills you'll gain: Eclipse (Software), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Object Oriented Design, Java, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Virtual Machines
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
507 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Mining, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, Microsoft Excel
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
28K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
The Arduino Platform and C Programming
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Debugging, C (Programming Language), Electronic Hardware, Integrated Development Environments, Electronic Components, Development Environment, Computer Programming Tools, Computer Hardware, Computer Programming, Digital Communications
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Python Programming Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Debugging, Git (Version Control System), Unit Testing, Data Structures, Python Programming, Software Testing, Programming Principles, Scripting, Computer Programming, Web Development, Algorithms, Program Development, Development Environment, Scripting Languages, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
185 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of London
Object Oriented Programming
Skills you'll gain: Pseudocode, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Programming Principles, Debugging, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Program Development, Algorithms, Test Data, Data Validation, User Interface (UI), Unit Testing, Data Import/Export, Data Management, Command-Line Interface, Statistical Programming
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
218 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Deep Learning
Skills you'll gain: Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Image Analysis, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Neural Networks, Tensorflow, Supervised Learning, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Applied Machine Learning, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Machine Learning, Debugging, Performance Tuning, Keras (Neural Network Library), Python Programming, Machine Learning Algorithms, Linear Algebra, Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
146K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM DevOps and Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Istio, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Continuous Integration, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Agile Software Development, Unit Testing, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin (Scripting Language), Jenkins, Kubernetes, Bash (Scripting Language), DevOps, Git (Version Control System), Jupyter, Grafana
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
60K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Data Analysis with R
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Inference, Exploratory Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Statistical Reporting, Probability Distribution, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis Software, R Programming, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Software, Statistical Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Probability, Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Data Literacy
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Generative AI, SQL, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Big Data, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, Excel Formulas, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
92K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months