Your social media is buzzing with talk about Python, and you keep hearing about JavaScript frameworks, but it all sounds like a foreign language. You know you’re missing out on the exciting world of programming, but with so many options available, figuring out the Best Way To Learn To Program can feel overwhelming.
It seems like everyone is diving into coding these days, and you might feel like the only one still trying to understand the difference between HTML and CSS. Fortunately, the resources for aspiring programmers are constantly expanding, offering a variety of paths to join the tech world.
This guide will explore why learning to program is a valuable endeavor and help you determine the learning approach that best suits your needs and aspirations.
We’ll then present a curated list of 18 diverse resources, including courses, platforms, and programs, to kickstart your programming journey.
If you’d like to navigate directly to a specific area, use the menu below:
1. Why Learning to Program is a Smart Move
The digital age is here to stay, and with it comes an increasing demand for individuals who can speak the language of technology: code. The tech skills gap isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a real challenge across industries globally. This gap presents a significant opportunity for those equipped with programming knowledge and tech proficiency.
The numbers speak for themselves. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% growth in job opportunities for web developers from 2022 to 2032, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. A quick search on job platforms like Indeed.com reveals hundreds of thousands of open “developer jobs” in the United States alone.
Choosing to become a freelance web developer offers even more appealing prospects. Imagine setting your own schedule, selecting projects that ignite your creativity, and working from anywhere. Sounds like a fantastic career path, doesn’t it?
Now that we’ve established the “why,” let’s delve into the “how.” Before exploring learning resources, consider a few key questions to personalize your learning journey.
Alt text: A person enjoys the flexibility of freelance web development, working remotely at a cafe with their laptop.
2. Finding Your Path: 4 Key Questions Before You Start Learning to Program
So, you’re convinced that programming is your next adventure – excellent choice!
Before you jump into our resource recommendations, take a moment for self-reflection. Answering these questions will help you pinpoint the best way to learn to program for you.
1. Do You Thrive with a Mentor or Prefer Solo Study?
Are you a self-starter? While self-motivation is highly valued in today’s workplace, it’s a rarer trait than often assumed, and that’s perfectly fine.
Just as mentorship is crucial in fields like UX design, it’s equally beneficial when learning to program. Mentors offer more than just accountability; they provide invaluable industry insights and personalized guidance.
If you think you’d struggle with independent study, seek out programming courses that include tutor or mentor support. These might be a bit pricier, but the added structure and personalized attention can be well worth the investment.
2. What’s Your Budget and Time Commitment? Free or Paid Resources?
Cost is a significant factor. Are you prepared to invest in paid programs, and if so, what’s your budget? Consider your time availability as well. Are you looking for a quick intensive course, or do you need a more flexible, part-time option?
The question of how to learn to program while juggling family responsibilities or a full-time job is increasingly relevant. The recent global shift highlighted the need for flexible learning solutions for individuals whose schedules don’t fit the traditional 9-to-5 office structure.
This demand has fueled the rise of online coding bootcamps offering adaptable study schedules. Instead of compressed 8-week programs, many now offer extended timelines, allowing aspiring programmers to learn at their own pace and integrate studies into their existing lives.
3. Online, Offline, or Hybrid Learning Environment?
Are you comfortable learning solely online? Or do you prefer the structure of a classroom setting? Perhaps a blend of both, known as hybrid or blended learning, would be ideal? How important is building a student network for collaboration and support?
For those aiming to work as remote developers, online learning naturally aligns with their career aspirations.
4. What Are Your Goals After Learning to Program?
Are you seeking job connections and networking opportunities? Do you have a specific web developer salary in mind, or is programming a personal enrichment pursuit?
Your goals will shape your learning path. They’ll help you determine the necessary skills and guide you in choosing the best programming language to learn first.
For example, if you aspire to become a full-stack developer, you’ll need to map out the full-stack development skills to acquire.
If frontend development and web design are more your focus, you’ll start envisioning your developer portfolio and the projects you want to showcase.
Alt text: Online coding class fosters motivation and peer learning through video conferencing with diverse students.
3. 18 Top Resources: Your Guide to Learning to Program
This curated list presents 18 excellent resources to learn programming, highlighting their key features, pricing, learning styles, and skill levels.
Soon, you’ll confidently discuss topics like Python’s applications in various fields, moving far beyond just knowing Python as a snake!
To explore a specific resource, simply select it from the list below. Happy exploring, and happy coding!
1. Web Development for Beginners Short Course
Developed by CareerFoundry’s experienced in-house developers, this course is designed for absolute beginners eager to learn programming and see tangible results quickly.
In just five days (or even faster with focused effort), you’ll build your first webpage using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
It’s completely free and offers credit towards the comprehensive web development program upon completion. Watch this video to get a glimpse into the course:
Web Development for Beginners: Quick Overview
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Outcome-focused, rapidly teaches foundational skills to build a website. Excellent for testing your interest in web development at no cost.
- Cons: Five days is just an introduction. Becoming a professional developer requires significant ongoing learning and practice. However, it’s a fantastic and free first step!
2. freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp is a renowned web development bootcamp that has empowered thousands of graduates to land tech jobs.
They offer comprehensive learning tracks in web design, frontend and backend web development, data visualization, and algorithms and data structures with JavaScript (essential for software engineering roles).
freeCodeCamp boasts a vast alumni network and a vibrant forum for student collaboration and support.
freeCodeCamp: Key Highlights
- Format: Online, Free, Community-Driven Support
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Pros: Free, highly respected in the tech industry, high-quality curriculum.
- Cons: Community support might not suit everyone, lacks one-on-one mentorship.
3. Codecademy
Codecademy provides free programming courses in six popular languages: Python, jQuery, PHP, Ruby, HTML, and CSS.
With notable alumni like former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Codecademy gained prominence with its “Code Year” initiative, attracting a large user base.
Consistently a top choice for beginners, Codecademy is a popular answer to the question of how to learn to program.
Codecademy: Snapshot
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Pros: Immersive “console” approach lets you start coding immediately. Great for beginners to experience practical coding early on.
- Cons: Pace can be quick for absolute beginners. While hands-on coding is motivating, a deeper theoretical foundation might be beneficial for career-focused learners. Student and team support exists, but personalized guidance is limited.
4. Pluralsight
Pluralsight focuses on both aspiring and experienced developers, connecting learners with expert instructors and high-quality content.
Courses are delivered through screencasts and video tutorials, covering languages like Ruby, JavaScript, iOS, and HTML/CSS. They are known for user-friendly interfaces and engaging learning experiences.
While much of their content targets experienced coders, beginners can access a wealth of less advanced materials for free.
Pluralsight: Quick Look
- Format: Online, Free and Paid Options, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Pros: Excellent for web developers expanding their skills, appealing design.
- Cons: May feel overwhelming for beginners, as many courses are geared towards more advanced programmers.
5. Coursera
Coursera offers a vast free database of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), often from renowned universities.
MOOCs are a classic approach to how to learn to program in today’s digital landscape. They provide video lectures on diverse programming topics, accessible to anyone interested.
The advantages are accessibility and variety: you can find lectures on almost any programming topic and start learning at your convenience.
However, the lack of personalized interaction can be a drawback. Studies show that completion rates are lower when students are solely responsible for self-directed learning, leading to potential demotivation.
Yet, MOOCs are valuable for exploring a subject before committing to a more structured or personalized learning path.
Coursera: At a Glance
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Varies by MOOC, many beginner-friendly.
- Pros: Free, lectures from leading experts, diverse course selection, allows exploration of interests.
- Cons: Low completion rates, lacks personalized learning, limited interaction or community.
6. General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is famous for its immersive bootcamp-style courses, offering both full-time and part-time programs in various aspects of web development.
GA has physical campuses in multiple global locations, from New York City to London, and also provides remote learning options.
Student feedback is generally positive, although the tuition for their Software Engineering course can be a significant investment. Some online video tutorials are available, also at a cost.
General Assembly: Quick Facts
- Format: Offline/Online, Paid, Mentored
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Immersive, hands-on learning with expert instructors.
- Cons: Price.
7. Bento
Created by a StackOverflow developer, Bento is a curated guide through the best free web development tutorials available online.
Bento offers diverse learning formats, including videos, interactive classes, and reading materials. It’s free to use and exclusively links to free resources, presented in a logical progression for beginners.
Bento: Key Features
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Guided
- Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Pros: Excellent system for identifying your next learning step based on your current knowledge.
- Cons: Tutorials come from various sources, so teaching quality and style can vary.
8. Treehouse
Treehouse is an interactive online education platform focused on teaching students to build websites and mobile applications using various programming languages.
You can learn HTML, CSS, Java, PHP (WordPress), Objective-C, JavaScript, Ruby, and more through video tutorials. Treehouse’s effective learning formula combines demonstration, explanation, and hands-on practice with pop quizzes to maintain engagement.
Treehouse: Overview
- Format: Online, Paid, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Emphasizes best practices, on-demand video tutorials.
- Cons: Paid platform without personalized learning, forum content can be disorganized.
Alt text: Mentorship provides personalized support for students learning how to code, enhancing their understanding and progress.
9. CareerFoundry Full-Stack Development Program
This is CareerFoundry’s flagship programming program – fully online, mentor-led, and designed for completion in five to eight months.
Students learn both frontend and backend web development from industry experts, preparing them for tech careers.
The program features daily assignment reviews, unlimited questions, and remote mentor sessions for an immersive learning experience.
Part-time study requires just 10-15 hours per week. CareerFoundry’s approach is highly personalized and flexible, fitting around your commitments. If you’re wondering how to learn to program from the ground up, this program blends the structure of offline programs with the flexibility of online resources.
CareerFoundry Program: Details
- Format: Online, Paid, Mentored
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Regular mentor interaction, career-focused curriculum, personalized 1:1 support from tutors, mentors, and career specialists.
- Cons: Currently focuses on a JavaScript-centric Full-Stack Web Development Program (a highly in-demand language), with plans to expand to other areas like Python for web development. Career change programs require significant dedication, time, focus, and ambition.
10. Udacity
Udacity originated from a Stanford University computer science course.
Classes are delivered through video lectures with integrated quizzes and regular homework assignments, reinforcing a “learning-by-doing” educational model.
While course content is free, student success rates have been historically low. A partnership with San Jose State University was paused in 2013 after a high failure rate in final exams.
Udacity: Key Facts
- Format: Online, Paid (for Nanodegrees), Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Varied
- Pros: Affiliation with a top university, high-profile instructors.
- Cons: Historically low student success rates.
Alt text: A laptop screen displaying a coding environment, illustrating digital learning for web development with Udacity.
11. Thinkful
Formerly known as Bloc, Thinkful offers online courses with integrated mentoring, combining online learning flexibility with personalized tutoring.
More intensive and pricier than CareerFoundry, Thinkful is a strong option for those seeking a more demanding program.
Mentor and student support is available 24/7, but students should be prepared for a significant time commitment (around 50 hours per week) to maximize program benefits.
Thinkful (Bloc): Snapshot
- Format: Online, Paid, Mentored
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Supportive student community, dedicated mentors, full-time and part-time options.
- Cons: Intensive study program, high cost, requires significant student workload.
12. Web Fundamentals
Web Fundamentals is a Google-developed collection of free online tutorials aimed at helping solve coding challenges.
It’s not designed for absolute beginners. Web Fundamentals is better suited for those with some existing coding knowledge looking to expand their skills. Topics like “Debugging Asynchronous JavaScript with Chrome DevTools” might be daunting for newcomers.
Videos are supplemented with written instructions, diagrams, and user comments, which can be valuable learning aids.
Web Fundamentals: Overview
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Guided
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Pros: Excellent free resource for developers advancing their skillset.
- Cons: Potentially confusing for beginners.
13. The Code Player
This platform offers a collection of free online videos teaching specific coding tasks.
The unique feature of The Code Player is that learners can watch code being written live during tutorials.
They use live working demos to teach programming concepts, and the video speed is adjustable to match the learner’s skill level.
The Code Player: Key Features
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Pros: Learn at your own pace by adjusting video speed.
- Cons: Some learners might find the lack of structured instruction limiting.
14. Eloquent JavaScript
This book blends programming principles with practical application.
Available free online, it’s excellent for gaining a deeper understanding of coding fundamentals, particularly in JavaScript. While some reviews note that the latest edition (2018) is slightly dated, it remains a strong resource for foundational JavaScript knowledge.
Eloquent JavaScript: Details
- Format: Offline/Online, Self-Study, Free (online), Paid (book)
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Strong foundation in JavaScript basics.
- Cons: Less focused on problem-solving skills.
15. Girls Who Code
Specifically for girls aged 13-17, Girls Who Code connects students with mentors to teach coding, inspire, and encourage them to pursue tech careers.
With over 450,000 girls participating, their graduates are pursuing Computer Science degrees at 15 times the US average, a remarkable achievement.
Girls Who Code: Snapshot
- Format: Offline, Free, Mentored
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Promotes women in tech, creating a supportive learning environment.
- Cons: Limited to girls aged 13-17.
16. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a great starting point for those interested in programming for art or games, though less focused on business-oriented frontend development.
This free learning platform uses expert-led video tutorials to cover a wide range of subjects, including computer programming.
Khan Academy: Overview
- Format: Online, Free, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Pros: Free, highly praised content, excellent for exploring subjects before deeper dives.
- Cons: Lacks instructional “how-to” tutorials, which can be helpful for absolute beginners in programming.
17. Code Avengers
Code Avengers boasts a visually appealing platform, but learning is primarily text-based, lacking video tutorials.
They offer courses in JavaScript, Python, and HTML/CSS. The platform is praised for instilling good coding habits in learners, crucial for a programming career.
Code Avengers: Quick Look
- Format: Online, Partially Paid, Self-Paced
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Pros: Visually engaging website, emphasizes best practices for junior developers.
- Cons: No video tutorials, no mentors.
Alt text: Studying online to become a coding expert, showcasing the accessibility of digital education platforms for programming.
18. Fullstack Academy Of Code
Based in New York City, Fullstack Academy is a coding school with a significant tuition fee.
They promise job-ready developers in 17 weeks and actively help graduates find roles through Demo Days for employers, speed interviewing, and placement coordinators.
Fullstack Academy Of Code: Key Facts
- Format: Offline, Mentored, Paid
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Pros: Career-focused, prepares students for immediate job entry.
- Cons: High cost for a 17-week program.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Best Path to Programming
Now that you’ve explored various options for how to learn to program, it’s time to take action! We hope this guide has provided ample choices and inspiration.
Naturally, at CareerFoundry, we highly recommend our Full-Stack Web Development Program, which includes a job guarantee.
Our program teaches frontend and backend web development from industry experts, preparing students for tech careers. Students receive daily assignment reviews, get their questions answered, and connect with mentors via video calls for a fully immersive experience.
Looking for more insights? Check out our guide to 22 of the best coding tips from Reddit.
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