Where to Find
the Best Online Computer Programming Courses in 2021

Google developed this entry-level course to help aspiring programmers launch their careers. Many courses on this list cover Python because it’s the most popular programming language right now. Students in this course learn to write code in Python to automate systems administration tasks.

The first couple of modules start by building up your Python programming skills. You’ll then tackle version control using Git, troubleshooting and debugging, as well as deploying new versions of code to multiple computers using cloud computing. At the end of the six-month course, you’ll be ready to take on freelance jobs using Python.

Microsoft’s C# programming language is a favorite for game development. This course from the University of Colorado Boulder combines training in C# and the Unity game platform. It is ideal if you are hoping to specialize in game development.

In this course, you’ll use C# from scratch in the Unity development environment. You’ll study the basics of object oriented programming, building games in 2D and 3D, and creating your own data structures and design patterns.

This entry-level course from MITx will teach you the principles of computer science using Python. Instead of learning Python for a specific purpose, you’ll study the basics of algorithms, testing and debugging, and data structures.

It’s a relatively short course, designed to give students an introduction to Python and general computer science principles. This course is great for beginners who want to learn the basics before moving into a more specialized area of Python.

Created by the University of Pennsylvania online (PennX), this course will teach you the basics of computer science using Java. Students learn about Java syntax and keywords, before diving deeper into object oriented programming in this course. You will also learn how to troubleshoot your code and ensure smooth operation in different environments.

It’s a great option to build a firm foundation in Java and computer science. After completing the course, students can move on to the other courses in PennX’s CS Essentials for Software Development Professional Certificate program.

In this three-week course at the intersection of engineering and programming, you’ll get the chance to see your code driving a real-life object. Students are given a hands-on project in order to learn to program in Python.

Students start by building a robot and then use Raspberry Pi to program its motors. You will then learn how to help your robot navigate the world with distance sensors, before progressing to giving the robot the ability to see lines. This course allows students with a basic understanding of Python to add some robotics knowledge to their arsenal.

Pair programming is an essential skill for working in software development or software engineering. In this course, students learn how to code alongside other people. Pair programming is an important tool to improve your code and share knowledge with other programmers.

This course doesn’t focus on any particular programming language. Instead, it focuses on common pair programming strategies. After just a few short hours, students should have no problem adapting to different working structures.

The R programming language is another popular programming language for data scientists. This Nanodegree program from Udacity teaches beginners how to code with R and SQL to accomplish a multitude of data science tasks.

Students start with training in SQL, a server-side language for building and maintaining data structures. They are then introduced to using the R programming language for data visualization. Finally, you’ll learn version control using GitHub. All of these lessons are taught via real-world projects, giving you a taste of daily life as a data scientist.

C++ is another popular programming language with applications across multiple industries. Products like Adobe Photoshop, Google Chrome, and many video games were all built with C++. The language’s versatility is an asset to beginner programmers.

You’ll learn an up-to-date version of C++ from a university professor with over 25 years of experience in the language. You’ll be taught via quizzes, video lectures, and coding exercises. After completing the course you’ll be ready to specialize in any direction.

This course takes students from beginners to advanced programmers over 16 weeks of teaching. Students learn core programming concepts before being given an overview of everything Java has to offer.

You’ll learn about the Spring Framework, Java EE, and Android app development, as well as being taught industry best practices. The course is run by a professional developer with 20 years of experience. There’s a particular focus on making sure students are prepared for professional collaborative coding environments upon completing the course.

JavaScript is one of the three building blocks of the modern Internet along with HTML and CSS. By developing your JavaScript skills, you’ll not only grasp the core concepts of object oriented programming, but you’ll also have the basic programming skills required to learn almost any other language quickly.

This course takes students through JavaScript with over 80 coding challenges. These challenges are part of three real-world projects that let students see first-hand how the language works. After finishing, students will be able to build web applications that can easily be transformed into mobile apps.