15 Free Online Coding Classes
Wondering, where can I learn to code for free or how do I become a beginner programmer? You've come to the right place!
While tons of programmers have gone to school or have enrolled in expensive programs to learn how to code, you don't necessarily need to pay to learn how to code. There are tons of free online coding programs that'll introduce you to coding and teach you the basics (things like fixing bugs on your site or implementing e-commerce shops), and some will even dive deeper.
Sure, there are tons of books you can read to learn how to code, but these free coding classes won't cost you a penny and you can practice the skills you're learning through these immersive programs.
So you no longer need to question, how can I learn to code fast for free? Here are 15 online coding courses in which you can enroll free of charge.
1. Udemy
Udemy was founded in 2010 as an online learning platform offering video lessons for virtually anything you can dream of learning. There are many classes that you do indeed need to pay for, but there are also tons of free coding courses such as Programming for Entrepreneurs - HTML & CSS, "where you'll learn basic web development concepts and skills that will allow you to build simple websites, modify existing websites and create interactive prototypes of your business idea," and Introduction to Python Programming, a "one-stop-shop for everything you'll need to know to get started with Python, along with a few incentives."
2. Khan Academy
The Khan Academy, which started in 2006, is one of the original free online institutions. It offers practice exercises, instructional videos and a personalized learning dashboard that empower students to study and learn at their own paces. It's also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences and MIT to offer specialized content. As such, it boasts a number of tutorials that'll teach you how to program using programs such as JavaScript and ProcessingJS. It'll also teach you how to build webpages using HTML and CSS.
3. The Odin Project
The Odin Project is a free, open-source version of the Viking Code School, an online coding boot camp. You can use their free programming tutorials and get support from other students using the online chat group, where discussions surrounding everything from HTML and CSS to JavaScript and Ruby on Rails are happening.
4. Udacity
Udacity is another popular online resource offering classes and "nanodegrees" that train you for specific careers, such as programming ones (i.e. front end developer or full stack developer). While the nanodegrees cost you a tuition fee, the course materials are free.
5. CodeAcademy
CodeAcademy will teach you everything from HTML & CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Ruby, Python and PHP for free. Through online coding tutorials with easy-to-follow instructions, immediate feedback and a tested curriculum, all learners will go from non-technical to “I can code."
6. Code Avengers
Code Avengers is an online digital technology education service based in New Zealand. The team of school teachers, software developers, designers and marketers teach people of all ages how to program. In just 12 hours, you can complete any one of Code Avengers coding course that are each available in English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Turkish and Portuguese.
7. edX
edX is an open-source learning platform founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012. The platform includes 60 schools, such as this free Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University. This course offers "an introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming."
8. MIT Open Courseware
MIT Open Courseware is where you can go to learn everything from coding to coding theory. These classes include topics like Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, which "aims to provide students with an understanding of the role computation can play in solving problems" and "help students, regardless of their major, to feel justifiably confident of their ability to write small programs that allow them to accomplish useful goals."
There are also specific introductory courses like the Introduction to Programming in Java, which is an introduction to software engineering, using the Java programming language, and Practical Programming in C, which introduces learners to the C programming language.
9. Free Food Camp
On Free Food Camp, you'll learn HTML, CSS3, JavaScript, DevTools, Angular.js, Node.js and Databases with a community of professional programmers and other students. The camp accomplishes its mission of helping people learn to code for free by creating thousands of videos, articles and interactive coding lessons, which are all freely available to the public. It also boasts thousands of freeCodeCamp study groups around the world.
10. Coursera
Through Coursera, you can earn a degree or a certificate through 119 institutions. While many of them require you to pay, there are tons of free introductory programs for beginner programs from universities such as Standford, Vanderbilt and the University of Washington.
11. freeCodeCamp
Learn to code for free online with freeCodeCamp's 800-hour curriculum. After you complete your hours and even pick up a certificate in something like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, DevTools, QA testing, Node.js, React, jQuery, data visualization and more, you'll also get hands-on experience working on projects for nonprofits.
12. HTML5 Rocks
Google's open-source platform HTML5 Rocks was launched in 2010, and it's full of tutorials and HTML5 update information. This platform is more advanced than most introductory courses, however.
13. GA Dash
GA Dash is the General Assembly’s free online learning platform that's entirely project-based. You learn the basics of web development through projects you can do in your browser while learning to code online.
14. Codewars
Through Codewards, you can complete programming challenges (CoffeeScript, Clojure, Haskell, Python, Ruby, Java and JavaScript challenges are available) and keep advancing to higher ranks. It's a martial-arts themed program, and the gamification of this program makes the coding even more fun.
15. aGupieWare
aGupieWare, an independent app developer, surveyed computer science programs across leading institutions in the country. It then came up with its own curriculum based on the free courses offered elsewhere, and it broke its program down into 15 courses. You'll take three introduction classes, seven core classes and five electives.
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AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report, Twitter @herreportand Facebook.
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