Computers come to us ready to use. We just need to click on a few buttons to load the programs and websites we’re looking for. Most of the hard work is already done for us by tech professionals who have taken programming courses, making our lives much easier.

Naturally, there are a lot of components that make our computers functional. As much as all of the physical parts are important, so are the programming languages that make up the software and apps that so greatly benefit us in our daily lives.

So, what is programming and how can you learn to code? Read on to learn more about the best online programming courses.

What Is Programming?

Computer programming is an essential part of computers. They are what programmers use to give commands to the computer so that it completes the desired function. Programming is the main backbone of everything from web design to game development.

Programming is what a computer is built on. As such, programming concepts and courses are in high demand as tech enthusiasts strive to learn more about how to build programs that they see a need for.

What Are Programming Languages?

Through programming languages, computers receive instructions that they can use as commands. 

There are two levels of programming languages. Binary code that uses only 1’s and 0’s is low-level programming. High-level programming languages are more useful today, like Python, Java, C, and Ruby on Rails.

Is Programming Different From Coding?

People often use the terms programming and coding interchangeably. One might think that they are the same. While there is nothing wrong with associating the acts of coding and programming, if you plan on learning one, you should understand the distinction between the two.

Basically, programming deals with the complex task of making a machine understand a language. Whatever a programmer writes to the machine, it must be able to translate it into action. If the language of the code is wrong, then the program won’t work.

Coding, on the other hand, is the act of translating human language to machine language. It is comparable to translating, except that a coder translates for a computer to understand rather than another human.

Should You Study Programming?

How do you know if programming is right for you? If you are interested in it for practical reasons and understand the work involved, then go for it. A programmer earns an average of $86,550 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you’re a data science major, you will not succeed in your career if you do not study programming. No one has flourished in the field of data science without first getting a firm grasp on programming.

If you have decided that you are interested in programming, there are a lot of courses online that you can check out. Everything from coding camps to free online courses are right at your fingertips.

The Best Online Programming Courses, Free Online Programming Courses, and Free Online Programming Courses With Certificates

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you likely have some more free time to learn programming at home, either as a hobby or to help on your career path. Below, we have listed some of the best online programming courses offered by prestigious institutions.

Harvard: CS50’s Web Programming with Python and Javascript

Price: Free (Certificate available for $149)

If you are ready to commit six to nine hours per week to studying programming, then you should consider this program. The difficulty level is intermediate, so you will need to have a background in programming. 

This program focuses on Python and Javascript, but briefly delves into HTML and CSS. It promises to help you learn the languages and tools you will need to start designing apps.

edX: Programming Basics

Price: Free (Certificate available for $149)

This beginners’ course deals with the basics of computer programming. The main goal is to develop your understanding so that you can solve programming problems.

Aside from basic programming skills, you will also learn the language C/C++ and its real-world applications.

Coursera: Introduction to Computer Programming

Price: Free (Certificate available)

This course specifically uses the Javascript programming language so you need to be equipped with it. One of the things that you will learn from this is to learn how to write interactive programs.

Real programming language will be used throughout the course. You will edit and run programs as instructed and at your own pace. Coding skills are also bound to be developed thanks to activities like the Sleuth game.

NYU: Basics of Computing and Programming

Price: Free (Certificate available for $200)

This is an introductory course with a self-paced approach. It specifically teaches the Python programming language. Over six to eight hours per week, you will learn binary systems and how to apply variables to web development.

This isn’t your ordinary online coding course, as it has a focus on design. Thus, it is a good companion course if you are already studying data science or software engineering.

Udemy: Computer Programming for Beginners

Price: $24.99 (Certificate available)

This course isn’t free, but the fee is nominal. It is composed of video tutorials and other resources available for download.

The beginners’ class teaches the principles of programming. It will help you develop your logical thinking as you learn how to design algorithms.

Conclusion: Build the World with Programming Courses Online

Technology is a huge part of the world we live in today. Using programming to process data, we can make technology a more useful part of our daily lives.

If you have even a mild interest in programming, you should look at one of the many opportunities available for you online for learning the skill. It will help you stay relevant within your field, even if you’re not a tech expert. If you are already a student navigating your way through a data science program, then this is another option open to you to enhance your skills, often for free.