Knowing how to code is one of the most valuable, profitable skills you can learn today. Many companies are looking for programmers and coders to help them leap ahead of their competitors and innovate.
Programming professions are incredibly high in demand right now, and learning to code is more affordable and accessible than ever. Whether you want to learn a new programming language or launch a code-based project, you can use these resources to create more opportunities for yourself. In this four-part series, we’ll be discussing the excellent websites you can use to jumpstart your coding journey.
Coursera is one of the leading online platforms that partners with world-class universities and companies to offer high-quality courses for incredibly in-demand skills. It has a vast subject library you can explore, covering topics like web development, computer science, data analytics, and machine learning.
Many of its courses are free, only charging for certification of completion, and paid courses have a 7 day trial period to try before making the decision to continue.. The learning process combines video content, reading materials, exercises, quizzes, and forums. You can also establish a weekly learning goal to keep yourself motivated.
Codecademy focuses primarily on coding, offering free and paid classes on an incredible range of programming subjects. You can choose your course based on the language you want to learn or on the career path you want to pursue. If you aren’t sure of where to start, consider taking advantage of the site’s sorting quiz, which will tell you the programming job that best suits you and where to start.
The free coding classes discuss introductory lessons, although it also features numerous intermediate ones. The website also covers specific programming languages, like Go and Swift, to make Google and Apple apps. You can’t get a certificate for free courses, but if you want them, consider buying the Pro plan at $19.99 a month. College students benefit from a 35 percent discount.
BitDegree is an excellent resource for learning how to code for free. Apart from the standard programming languages, it also features coding classes on subjects like data science and game development. Some have certifications, which can improve your chances of landing a job.
The platform uses a token system to reward students when they complete a session, which you can use to get a discount for paid classes or to fund upcoming courses. You can also browse the Code Playground page to submit your work or look at others for inspiration.
edX is a nonprofit that collaborates with prestigious universities like Harvard to offer over 3,000 free online courses. The lessons are easily accessible, although acquiring a certificate and completing tasks for grading requires you to purchase the course, anywhere from $50 to $400.
The coding classes that can help you learn a new language are available under the Computer Science category, with introductory coding lessons on languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML, SQL, C, C++, and more. You can also choose subject-specific programming courses like website building, data structures, mobile app development, or software engineering. The courses include readings, forums, and exercises to make the learning experience richer. If you opt for the free track, you’ll have access to the learning materials until the expiration date.
Khan Academy is an excellent beginner resource that had its humble beginnings on YouTube. It covers basic computer programming principles like jQuery, SQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It doesn’t have as extensive a collection as other platforms, but it works well for new web developers. It also has a short and interactive program called Hour of Code. Students can flex their newly built coding muscles here to practice building websites, managing data, or coding for animation.
The courses include flashcards, videos, and practices with a code editor. Once the instructor has explained the concept, the student can practice their knowledge by finishing challenges in a particular section.
Start Your Coding Journey Today
These are some of the many websites we’ll discuss that are outstanding sources for learning how to code for free. Stay tuned for part 2!
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