Home>Courses>Computer Programming for Absolute Beginners

Computer Programming for Absolute Beginners

Gain insights into programming fundamentals, history, and language evolution. Learn about code organization, variables, conditional statements, loops, functions, and error handling. Explore how computer programs work.

Beginner

146 Lessons

39h

Certificate of Completion

AI-POWERED

Explanations

AI-POWERED

Explanations

This course includes

89 Playgrounds

14 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

Programming is the art and science of writing instructions that a computer can follow to accomplish a task. This course will teach you the concepts you need to know to become a computer programmer. You’ll learn about the brief history of programming, what constitutes a computer program, and the evolution of programming languages, including the various types of applications currently being developed. Next, you’ll learn how to organize the code using modules, namespaces, and packages. You’ll then learn about...Show More

What You'll Learn

Familiarity with computer programming in general

A working knowledge of the basic building blocks of a computer program

Hands-on experience using variables and control structures in programming

The ability to create functions in a computer program

An understanding of exception handling in programming

Familiarity with computer programming in general

Course Content

Introduction

1 Lessons

Get familiar with programming concepts, history, and technical aspects, adaptable to any language.

Course Overview

Introduction to Computer Programs

10 Lessons

Look at computer programming fundamentals, historical evolution, binary systems, and basics of machine code.

Introduction to Computer Programs

A Brief History Of Computing

A Brief History of Programming

What is a Program?

Understanding the Binary System

Understanding ASCII and Other Forms of Data

Boolean Algebra

Machine Code

Summary on Computer Programs

Quiz: Basics of Computer Programs

Introduction to Programming Languages

8 Lessons

Explore the evolution, diversity, and key concepts of programming languages for enhanced coding understanding.

Introduction to Programming Languages

Why Do We Have Programming Languages?

Evolution of Programming Languages

Diversity of Programming Languages

Code Translation: Interpretation and Compilation

Syntax and Building Blocks of a Programming Language

Summary of Programming Languages

Quiz: The Basics of Programming Languages

Types of Applications

9 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of various computer applications, including standalone, web, mobile, distributed, and cloud-based applications.

Introduction to the Types of Applications

Computer Applications: Standalone vs. Client-Server

Web Applications

Mobile and Distributed Applications

Cloud-Based Applications

Cloud Service Models

Some Other Types of Applications

Summary of the Types of Applications

Quiz: Types of Computer Applications

Software Projects and Code Organization

6 Lessons

Deepen your knowledge of organizing, modularizing, and managing software projects for better code readability and maintenance.

Introduction to the Software Projects and Code Organization

Code Modules

Software Projects and Packages to Share Code

Avoiding Conflicts Using Namespaces

Summary of Software Projects and Code Organization

Quiz: Software Projects and Code Organization

The Basic Building Block of a Computer Program

13 Lessons

Investigate programming sequences, effective task breakdown, statements, indentation, and comments for clarity.

Introduction to the Basic Building Blocks of a Computer Program

The Importance of Sequences

Phone Application Breakdown

Home Application Breakdown

Understanding Statements

Compound Statements

Separating Statements

Code Readability using Indentation and Empty Lines

Code Readability using Comments

Summary of the Basic Building Blocks of a Computer Program

Quiz: The Basic Building Blocks of a Computer Program

Challenge: Improving Code Readability

Solution: Improving Code Readability

Working with Data: Variables

19 Lessons

Build on the foundational concepts of variables, data types, operators, and string manipulation in programming.

Introduction to Variables

Declaring and Initializing Variables

Primitive Data Types

Signed and Unsigned Integers

Taking One's and Two's Complement

Floating-Point and Character Types

Composite Types: Fixed and Dynamic Arrays

Composite Types: Record and Dictionary Types

Composite Type: Set and Strings Types

Operators

Values and Reference Variables

Working with Numbers

Manipulating Strings

Summary of Variables

Quiz: Working with Variables

Challenge: Taking One's and Two's Complements

Solution: Taking One's and Two's Complements

Challenge: Concatenating Strings

Solution: Concatenating Strings

Program Control Structures

12 Lessons

Learn how to use program control structures for dynamic decision-making and iterations.

Introduction to the Program Control Structures

Controlling the Execution Path

Selection with the if statement

Selection with the switch statement

Iteration with the for loop

Iteration with the while Loop

Iteration with the do while loop

Iteration over Sequences Using a foreach Loop

Summary of the Program Control Structures

Quiz: Program Control Structures

Challenge: Writing a switch Statement

Solution: Writing a switch Statement

Understanding Functions

12 Lessons

Walk through creating and implementing functions, focusing on readability, reusability, and clarity.

Introduction to Functions

Deciding What Goes into a Function

Returning Values from a Function

Function Arguments

Part 1: Creating Functions for an Automatic Light Application

Part 2: Creating Functions for an Automatic Light Application

Part 3: Creating Functions for an Automatic Light Application

Local and Global Variables

Summary of Functions

Quiz: Understanding Functions

Challenge: Using Functions

Solution: Using Functions

10.

When Things Go Wrong: Bugs and Exceptions

11 Lessons

Work your way through understanding and managing bugs and exceptions in programming.

Introduction to Bugs and Exceptions

Understanding Software Bugs

Understanding Types of Software Bugs

Finding Bugs Using a Debugger

Working with Exceptions

Exceptions and the Call Stack

Handling Exceptions

Summary of Bugs and Exceptions

Quiz: Bugs and Exceptions

Challenge: Bugs and Exceptions in the Code

Solution: Bugs and Exceptions in the Code

11.

Programming Paradigms

15 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of various programming paradigms, including structured, OOP, and functional programming.

Introduction to Programming Paradigms

Understanding Structured Programming

Understanding Object-Oriented Programming

Classes and Objects

Understanding Encapsulation

Inheritance

Understanding Functional Programming

Mutable and Immutable Data

Declarative Programming

Understanding Logic Programming

Other Paradigms

Summary of the Programming Paradigms

Quiz: Programming Paradigms

Challenge: Classes and Their Attributes

Solution: Classes and Their Attributes

12.

Programming Tools and Methodologies

11 Lessons

Deepen your knowledge of essential development tools, version control, testing, and methodologies.

Introduction to Programming Tools and Methodologies

Understanding Version Control Systems

Using Git for Collaboration

Unit Testing

Integration Testing

Other Types of Tests

Software Deployment and Code Maintenance

Software Development Process Methodologies

Agile Development

Summary of Programming Tools and Methodologies

Quiz: Programming Tools and Methodologies

13.

Code Quality

10 Lessons

Focus on writing efficient, readable, and maintainable code through best practices.

Introduction to the Code Quality

Defining Code Quality

Writing Code with Readability in Mind

Writing Code with Efficiency in Mind

Is Smart Code Smart?

Code Quality Best Practices

Avoiding Deep Nesting

Coding Conventions

Summary of Code Quality

Quiz: Code Quality

14.

Appendix: How to Translate the Pseudocode into Real Code

8 Lessons

Master translating pseudocode to various programming languages, including C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Python.

Introduction to the Pseudocode translation into Real Code

15.

Conclusion

1 Lessons

Learn how to use foundational computer programming concepts for versatile language application.

Wrap Up!

Course Author

Packt

Trusted by 2.5 million developers working at companies

"These are high-quality courses. Trust me. I own around 10 and the price is worth it for the content quality. EducativeInc came at the right time in my career. I'm understanding topics better than with any book or online video tutorial I've done. Truly made for developers. Thanks"

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

"Just finished my first full #ML course: Machine learning for Software Engineers from Educative, Inc. ... Highly recommend!"

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

Carlos Matias La Borde

Software Developer

"I spend my days and nights on Educative. It is indispensable. It is such a unique and reader-friendly site"

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

"Your courses are simply awesome, the depth they go into and the breadth of coverage is so good that I don't have to refer to 10 different websites looking for interview topics and content."

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

"I've tried probably 5-7 different sites and Educative is easily the best. It perfectly blends explanation with interactivity"

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Hands-on Learning Powered by AI

See how Educative uses AI to make your learning more immersive than ever before.

Instant Code Feedback

Evaluate and debug your code with the click of a button. Get real-time feedback on test cases, including time and space complexity of your solutions.

AI-Powered Mock Interviews

Put your skills to the test in a simulated interview setting. Receive personalized feedback based on your performance. Available in Premium & Premium Plus plans.

Adaptive Learning

At various checkpoints throughout Educative courses, you will be prompted to take a quick assessment. Receive a condensed curriculum tailored to your strengths and skill gaps.

Explain with AI

Select any text within any Educative course, and get an instant explanation — without ever leaving your browser.

AI Code Mentor

AI Code Mentor helps you quickly identify errors in your code, learn from your mistakes, and nudge you in the right direction — just like a 1:1 tutor!

Related Courses and Skill Paths

Course

Learn C++

This course helps you learn C++ programming fundamentals through execution sheets and flowcharts, making it ideal for C++ for beginners and aspiring C++ developers.

beginner

8 hours

Course

Learn to Code: Java for Absolute Beginners

Want to learn how to code? Master the foundations of Java, an in-demand programming language. Get hands-on with immersive exercises, interactive quizzes, and earn certifications to build in-demand skills.

beginner

8 hours

Course

Learn to Code: Python for Absolute Beginners

Want to learn how to code? Get hands-on with Python for beginners. Master the basics, solve real-world problems, and confidently build in-demand Python skills for diverse industries.

beginner

Learn to Code: Java for Absolute Beginners

beginner

8 hour

Course

Learn to Code: Python for Absolute Beginners