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Learn to Code for Free – Top Coding Websites, Blogs, Courses and Programs

Pawan

If you are not new to the web, you should have already learned how important it is to learn to code. In the era of computers and automation, the most essential skill that you can have is to know how to code. The good news is that many free online resources let you learn to code for free.

In today’s article, we will be focusing on the resources itself. The resources include top coding websites, blogs, courses, and programs. All of the resources will be free to use.

So, what’s up with the free resources, only? By going through the free resources, you are investing your time and experimenting without losing any money. Also, for newbies, on the path of self-discovery, it is always better to try things out before diving deep into them. This also means getting hold of paid courses online.

However, don’t get it wrong. Paid content is always good, but not necessary. The base content is free for everyone, but they ask for payment when you want a verifiable certificate or help from a mentor. In any of the cases, it is always better to start learning on your own and then decide which path to take. We know people who are self-thought and have not used paid services online. If they can, you can also. Before we move on and list the best resources to learn to code for free, we need to answer a crucial question in this context, “Is learning to code hard?” Let’s tackle it below.

Is Learning to Code Hard?

Coding has always been at the forefront of technological growth. Organizations, schools, and even the government are pushing learners on how to code. They are also categorizing it as the must learn a skill just like mathematics. So, should you learn? Of Course, you should! It will help you to grow in many ways even you don’t become a full-fledged programmer.

So, coming back to the question, “Is learning to code hard?” The answer is yes. Learning to code is hard. Most of the websites try to sell you their coding courses or resources by telling you the opposite, i.e., coding is easy. However, that’s not the truth.

Erik Trautman breaks the whole reasoning of why coding is so hard to learn. In this article, “Why Learning to Code is So Damn Hard,” he explains each point deeply.

The above chart accurately shows the rollercoaster ride that a learner goes through. We recommend you to read the article itself to get a better idea of what to expect ahead.

Learn to Code for Free – Top Coding Websites, Blogs, Courses, and Programs

Many platforms are also unique in their way of offering your learning. To get a better grasp, we will be categorizing the resources into four categories. They are as follows:

Coding Websites to Learn to Code for Free

1. FreeCodeCamp

FreeCodeCamp is one of the popular online learning platforms that let you learn to code from start to end. If you are new, FreeCodeCamp is a perfect place for you. It starts by teaching your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Slowly and surely, it moves to advanced topics which require a better understanding of the previous concept. The most significant advantage of learning from FreeCodeCamp is its certification process.  They offer a total of six certifications, 30 projects, and 1409 exercises. The certification includes Responsive web design certification, JavaScript Algorithms, and Data Structure Certification, Front-end Libraries certification, Data visualization certification, APIs and microservice certification, and Information Security and Quality Assurance certification. Each of the certifications can take up to 300 hours to complete. Not only that, but they also offer coding interview prep.

2. Udacity

Udacity is one of the oldest Massive Online Massive Open Online Courses platforms on the internet. They offer excellent coding courses where you can learn to code for free. All the content on the platform is free to take. However, they also have a payment option where you get access to mentors and certifications which can be useful for your CV.  But, this is completely optional and is not necessary.

The unique value of Udacity is project-driven learning. Their courses are also high quality and are developed by the best people in the industry.

3. CodeAcademy

CodeAcademy is a great place for newbies. It offers simple lessons that help you get started with the journey itself. Anyone can learn to program from CodeAcademy coding websites as it is beginner-friendly and ensure that it doesn’t overload the learner. However, if you are looking for much in-depth guidance, we recommend checking out other websites. It offers interactive learning as you will see instant feedback on the screen. They provide courses on many programming languages and technology including HTML & CSS, Node JS and PHP, JavaScript, Angularjs, Ruby, and much more.

4. Coursera

Coursera is one of the leading places to learn how to code for free. It is a website that offers tons of learning options and is not limited to just coding. It has one of the largest course libraries that you can explore. Also, each of the courses is crafted by the university professor who makes sure that you get the best learning content possible. Almost all the content is available for free. However, you need to pay if you want a “Coursera Verified Certificate.” You can also take advantage of their specialization courses where they list courses that provide content to master a particular skill.

As a learner, you can take advantage of their free coding courses.

5. edX

Another coding website where you can learn coding for beginners is edX. They also offer high-quality courses that are developed by MIT and Harvard. It is an open-source platform. All the courses are available for free and just like other similar platforms; you can opt to pay for a certificate if you want to. By using edX, you will be able to learn from the best. They offer a variety of courses including Python, Java, C#, and much more!

6. Khan Academy

Khan Academy takes a different approach to learning than compared to other coding platforms. It offers you detailed videos on coding and other computational topics. The courses are also aimed at younger kids which means that anyone can learn from their website. And, of course, everything is for free! You can learn HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, and other technologies to learn to code for free

7. The Odin Project

The Odin project is one of the amazing programs out there. Viking Code School manages it. Their platform is paid, but they also offer a free version which focuses on providing you as much value as their paid content. By going through their content, you will able to become a successful web developer. You can learn technologies such as JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, jQuery and so on. This will add value to your portfolio and make you ready for the upcoming challenges.

8. Udemy

Udemy is yet another popular destination for those who want to learn to code for free. They offer a mix of both free and paid courses. The courses are created by professionals and expert people who are working in the industry. Also, it is very cheap to get courses there with coupon codes. We recommend you to try out the free courses and then try out some paid ones if you like what they have to offer in the first place.

9. Code.org

Code.org is a non-profit venture where you can get access to valuable learning content. The platform is created for improving coding knowledge among minority and female learners. Also, most of the courses are aimed at K-12 students. You can start your journey by taking on Hour of Code tutorials or maybe build some amazing projects.

10. Hackr.io

Hackr.io offers an amazing collection of community-based courses, tutorials and much more. If you are looking for a specific technology that you want to learn, then check out Hackr.io as they have everything that you will need. They also list books and other useful resources, so do check them out!

11. HackerRank

If you are motivated to learn to code for free and improve your programming and analytical skills, then check out HackeRank. It is used by millions of programmers who want to improve their skills on a daily basis. It offers you challenges that you need to complete to earn points. They have a leaderboard that acts as a motivation for many programmers out there. Lastly, they also offer excellent job opportunities for those who have skills. You can apply to different companies through HackerRank. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to learn to code.

12. MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT OpenCourseWare is an education platform that offers high-quality learning material developed by MIT to the whole world. The online library consists of every topic that has been taught at MIT. However, be cautioned as you need to be self-graded yourself and stay disciplined as there is no grading option available. This also means that you need to do your homework, tests, and other activities yourself.

13. Microsoft Virtual Academy

Microsoft Virtual Academy lets you choose your own learning path and focus on building real-world skills. Most of the courses offered by them are related to the products or technologies that they work on. They also offer access to helpful downloads, free e-books, and much more! Technologies that you can learn from them include HTML, CSS, ASP.NET, SQL, and the MEAN stack.

Courses to Learn Programming and Coding

Now that we have shared a few of the best websites to learn to code for free, now it is time to share some courses that will help you learn faster and easier. These courses are aimed at both beginners and intermediate learners. By following these courses, you will be not only able to learn how to code but also do advanced programming. So, let’s get started.

1. Udacity CS 101: Intro to Computer Science

Udacity CS101 is a beginner-level course to learn to code for free. It teaches you how to build a search engine in the Python programming language. In this course, you will learn about key computer science concepts. The instructor for the course is Dave Evans who has done an excellent job in presenting the concepts to new learners. At the end of the course, you will be familiar with beginner-level computer science concepts and basic Python knowledge.

2. CS50: Introduction to Computer Science

If you are looking for a comprehensive introduction to computing and programming in general, there is nothing better than CS50. It is taught by David J. Milan and is created by Harvard University. It is one of the well laid out courses in computing and offers an extensive introduction to computing. In this course, you will learn various computing concepts including encapsulation, data structures, algorithms, and so on. They have nine problem sets and one final project. The course is self-paced, and you can learn it according to your choice.

3. C Programming: Getting Started

The course is managed by Dartmouth and offers great in-depth knowledge of C The course is available for free, but you can get a verified certificate which is completely optional. Learning C programming language is vital for a programmer’s knowledge as it is the first proper and stable programming language that changed the world. By learning it, you will be able to think clearly and abstractly. The instructors of the course are Remi Sharrock and Petra Bonfert Taylor.

4. Writing Professional Code

Many of you would not only learn to code for free just to become a professional programmer. This course lets you do just that. By doing the course, you will be able to write professional code and make yourself a better coder. The course is created by Microsoft and requires an effort of 3 to 4 hours per week. The instructor of the course is Andrew Byrne.

5. Crio Projects Hub

Crio.Do is a project-based learning platform ideal for developers to grow the skills they need to excel in software development. Crio Projects Hub houses an interesting collection of free and fully explained development projects in varying difficulty levels. The step-by-step explanation provided for every project guides developers to build cool stuff on their own at a comfortable pace. These projects are perfect for developers looking to add valuable skills and projects to their resumes. The project categories include Python, Machine Learning, Java, JavaScript, React, HTML, Web Development, Android, and much more.

Along with the free projects, Crio Blog is an informative space for developers looking for activity-based learning content, career guidance, and interview preparation to crack jobs in product-based companies, and beginner guides to grasp key developer essential skills.

Learn to Code for Free – Blogs

Coding is not about writing code; it is also about reading them. To be a good coder or professional programmer, you need to read a lot. That’s why you need to follow good programming blogs that not only teach you how to code but also become better in your craft. That’s why we are going to list the best blogs that you can follow to learn to code for free.

1. SitePoint

SitePoint is a website which published technical content on almost any topic out there. They regularly post topics and a lot of writers publish content there. Moreover, they cover everything including HTML, CSS, Ruby, Python, and so on. What is more, they also have a child website, Learnable which has a good collection of resources. However, it is not free.

2. David Walsh

David Walsh loves writing about technology. And, why not? He is a senior developer at Mozilla. By reading his blog, you will surely learn something new. He always shares new things on his blog which include tutorials, demos, how-tos, and much more!

3. The Crazy Programmer

The Crazy Programmer shares basic knowledge about essential topics about computing and programming in general. The website covers topics such as PHP, SQL, Android, C, C++, and so on. They normally post two articles per week.

4. CSS-Tricks

CSS-Tricks is a website especially aimed at web designers and developers. This is where you will learn about everything that is related to CSS and front-end development. The posts are both beginners and advanced so you should have some basic knowledge to get full advantage of what they have to offer.

6. Coding Horror

Coding Horror is an excellent blog that shares impressive pieces about coding and programming in general. They share experience about the industry, programmers, and technology, and teach you to look from a completely different perspective. It is all about the exploration of the practical world put into high-quality articles written by various authors.

7. Dzone

Dzone is a technology blog that covers almost everything ranging from Cloud to AI to Big Data, and so on. The blog posts also range from beginner level to advanced level. Anyone can contribute to the website, but the quality of the content posted on the website is always good. Their editors make sure that only good content goes through. Other than that you can get access to resources and guides. You will be able to not only learn to code for free but also look for a job. They also list jobs.

8. GitHub Blog

GitHub blog is a great place to learn about the things happening on GitHub. They also offer excellent blog posts on technologies that are intriguing and worth knowing. Also, as a programmer, you should always keep a tab on GitHub and what they are trying to achieve in the future.

Programs to Learn to Code for Free

Programs, also known as Bootcamps, is also a great way to learn to code for free. Generally, these programs are not free, and a fee is always associated with them. However, you can find many boot camps offering a free learning experience. As a learner, you surely will love boot camps as it gives you hands-on experience in programming. You can get programs both online and offline.

1. Lamba Web Mini Bootcamp

Lambda offers a free online boot camp for web technologies. By joining the boot camp, you can get a free introduction to web development. The boot camp is streamed live, and you get the option to learn and interact with others. To make up for their resources, the learner needs to pay back a small part of their salary to the program. They take students based on interviews.

2. Bridge

Bridge offers a free eleven-week boot camp for women. They are trying to bridge the gap in the software industry by providing training to women. Moreover, they offer training and train women with real-world projects. What is more, they offer an excellent environment and let you explore the possibilities of coding.

3. 42 School

42 are known for their paid programs, but they also offer an excellent computer programming curriculum for free. To join the program, you need to be in Paris. They aim to improve France technology by providing equal opportunity to anyone in need. They are working since 2013.

4. The Rescue Center

The Rescue Center offers 3-months free program for people who want to improve their programming skills. They are self-directed and work on their own. The learning is project-based, and you have to participate in a 12-week program. It takes place in New York and offers an amazing environment to improve your skills, both intellectually and professionally.

5. The Data Incubator

If you are one of the brightest students that are interested in data science, then The Data Incubator got you covered. They offer the best students to go through an intensive eight-week Bootcamp. The Bootcamp is free of cost, and you only have to pay a tuition fee only when you get hired. To get into the program, you need to have the basic knowledge and are looking to grow them more. They cover the technology stack that is needed to become a successful data scientist.

6. Founders & Coders

Founders & Coders are located in the UK and offer free full-time coding courses to students. Anyone with an interest in coding or programming can join the program. They also don’t need to have any pre-requisite knowledge of programming. The aim is to transform the students into successful full-stack web developers. Also, they mentor the students in such a way that they can join the freelance community. This way they can contribute to the community and improve their skills at the same time.

How to Learn to Code for Free – Conclusion

Learning to code for free is one of the first keywords that a newbie types in Google. In today’s article, we went through some of the best coding websites, blogs, courses, and programs. All of these will give you a lot of opportunities to try and see what fits your needs. However, we are also aware of the fact that going through so many options can be a daunting task. That’s why pick one and start exploring. We also don’t encourage trying out too many things at the same time as it can lead to indecision and demotivation.

Last, but not least, learning to code is hard. All you need is persistence to get past all the challenges. The best approach makes the best out of all the resources, joins the community, and try to contribute back to the community if needed. If you ever need essay writing services, you may pay for essays here.