Free Course Image Basic Programming Concepts

Free online courseBasic Programming Concepts

Duration of the online course: 6 hours and 34 minutes

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Build core coding skills fast with this free online programming course—learn Python basics, problem-solving, and earn a certificate-ready foundation for tech roles.

In this free course, learn about

  • Basics of programming and Python as the primary language for CSCI 100
  • Core computer concepts: hardware vs software, and RAM’s role as temporary working memory
  • Algorithm design fundamentals: problem-solving steps, correctness, and efficiency mindset
  • Control structures: sequencing, selection (if/else), and repetition structures (loops)
  • Functions in Python, including void functions and using parameters/return values
  • File I/O in Python: opening modes (read/write/append, text/binary) and basic file handling
  • Lists vs tuples: mutability, typical use cases, and common operations
  • String manipulation essentials: indexing/slicing, searching, and common string methods
  • Dictionaries: key-value mapping, unique keys, and efficient lookup/update patterns
  • OOP concepts: classes/objects and encapsulation (bundling data with behavior, access control)
  • Inheritance: reusing/extending classes and modeling “is-a” relationships
  • Recursion: defining base cases and recursive steps to solve problems
  • GUI basics: event-driven interaction and widgets/components in graphical applications

Course Description

Start coding with confidence by mastering the concepts that power every modern application. This free online course in Programming Fundamentals is designed for complete beginners and for anyone who wants a stronger foundation before moving into web development, data, or software engineering. Instead of overwhelming you with jargon, it helps you think like a programmer: break problems down, choose the right approach, and turn ideas into working programs.

You will build practical understanding of how programs run on a computer, including essential topics such as memory and what happens behind the scenes when your code executes. From there, you develop the mindset of algorithm design, learning how to create step-by-step solutions that are efficient and reliable. You will become comfortable with control structures that guide program flow, and you will learn how repetition and decision-making allow software to react to different situations.

As you progress, you will strengthen your Python foundations by working with functions, including when to use procedures that return values versus those that are designed to perform actions. You will also learn how real programs handle information by reading and writing files, which is a key skill for automating tasks and managing data. Core data structures are introduced in a way that makes them easy to apply, helping you recognize when to use lists, tuples, dictionaries, and string manipulation to model real-world information.

The course also introduces object-oriented programming in an approachable way, explaining ideas like encapsulation and inheritance so you can organize code into reusable components. You will explore recursion to understand how certain problems are solved elegantly, and you will be exposed to the basics of graphical user interfaces, giving you a broader view of how users interact with software. Throughout, quick knowledge checks and exercises help reinforce learning, so you can measure progress and build genuine skill rather than just watching videos.

By the end, you will have a clear grasp of the fundamentals needed to continue into more advanced programming paths, contribute to beginner projects, and speak the language of software development with far more confidence.

Course content

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Intro to Programming - Introduction

    07m

  • Exercise: What is the main programming language used in CSCI 100 Intro to Programming?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 1

    40m

  • Exercise: What is the primary purpose of RAM in a computer?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 2

    45m

  • Exercise: Understanding the Importance of Algorithm Design

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 3

    26m

  • Exercise: What is the primary purpose of a control structure in programming?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 4

    29m

  • Exercise: What is a Repetition Structure in Programming?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 5

    28m

  • Exercise: What is a void function in Python?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 6

    31m

  • Exercise: What are the modes used when opening files in Python?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 7

    22m

  • Exercise: What is the key difference between lists and tuples in Python?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 8

    18m

  • Exercise: What concept is essential for manipulating strings in Chapter 8?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 9

    27m

  • Exercise: What is a unique feature of a Python dictionary?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 10

    28m

  • Exercise: What is encapsulation in object-oriented programming?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 11

    21m

  • Exercise: What is the primary purpose of inheritance in programming?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 12

    32m

  • Exercise: What is the base case in recursion?

  • Video class: CSCI 100 - Chapter 13

    34m

  • Exercise: What is a key characteristic of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?

This free course includes:

6 hours and 34 minutes of online video course

Digital certificate of course completion (Free)

Exercises to train your knowledge

100% free, from content to certificate

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