600 Free Online Programming & Computer Science Courses You Can Start
If you‘re looking to start 2023 by learning an invaluable new skill, you‘re in luck. There are a wealth of free online courses in computer science and programming that can give you a strong foundation in some of today‘s most important and sought-after tech skills.
Among the 600+ free courses starting this month, some of the most useful for aspiring programmers are those that focus on the fundamentals: JavaScript, HTML and CSS. These building block languages form the backbone of web development. Mastering them will give you a versatile foundation from which to build your programming knowledge.
The Growing Demand for Programming Skills
Before we dive into specifics, let‘s consider some statistics that demonstrate the immense value in learning web development fundamentals:
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that web developer jobs will grow 23% between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- A 2021 Stack Overflow survey found that JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language, used by nearly 65% of respondents.
- The median annual pay for web developers in 2021 was $77,200, with the top 25 percent earning over $107,620. (Source)
It‘s clear that web development is a high-growth field with strong earning potential. By learning the core skills of HTML, CSS and JavaScript, you‘re opening the door to an array of opportunities in this space.
Why JavaScript, HTML and CSS are the Perfect Starting Point
As a full-stack developer who has worked extensively with these technologies, I firmly believe that HTML, CSS and JavaScript are the most powerful and rewarding entry point into programming. Here‘s why:
1. Ubiquity on the web: Virtually every website and web application uses some combination of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. By learning these languages, you‘re gaining immediately applicable real-world skills.
2. Beginner-friendly syntax: While all programming has its challenges, the syntax of HTML and CSS is relatively straightforward compared to many other languages. JavaScript also has a gentler learning curve than many alternatives.
3. Instant visual feedback: With web development, you can see the output of your code immediately in a web browser. This makes the learning process engaging and rewarding.
4. Versatility: These languages can be used to build an incredible variety of projects, from simple static webpages to complex interactive applications. This versatility means your skills will be broadly applicable.
The Evolution of Web Development Languages
HTML, CSS and JavaScript have come a long way since their inception. Let‘s consider a brief history:
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HTML was first proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990 as a simple way to structure content for the early web. It has since gone through multiple iterations, with HTML5 being the current standard.
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CSS was first proposed in 1994 as a way to add styling to web documents. It became a standard in 1996, and has evolved to include features like flexbox, grid layout and responsive design techniques. CSS3 is the latest major version.
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JavaScript was created in 1995 to add interactivity to web pages. It has become increasingly powerful over the years, and now supports object-oriented and functional programming paradigms. The ECMAScript specification standardizes JavaScript, with ES6 (2015) bringing significant updates.
While each language has its own purpose, they are designed to work together seamlessly:
- HTML defines the structure and content of a webpage
- CSS specifies the layout and visual style
- JavaScript adds interactivity, dynamic content updates and server communication
A strong foundation in all three of these languages will empower you to build complete, functional and engaging web experiences.
Recommended Free Online Courses
Now, let‘s explore some of the best free online courses for learning web development fundamentals, curated from the 600+ computer science and programming courses starting in January 2023:
HTML and CSS Courses
1. Introduction to HTML5 – University of Michigan / Coursera
This course is a great starting point for absolute beginners to web development. It covers all the basics of HTML5 markup, including document structure, text formatting, links, images, tables, forms and semantic elements.
Key topics include:
- Structuring a page with semantic elements
- Embedding media content
- Creating accessible forms
- Validating HTML documents
Expect to spend about 20 hours completing this course, with a mix of video lectures, readings and hands-on coding exercises.
2. Introduction to CSS3 – University of Michigan / Coursera
This course is the perfect follow-up to the HTML5 intro. It teaches the fundamentals of CSS3, including selectors, positioning, layout and responsive design principles.
Topics covered:
- Cascading and inheritance
- Box model and margins
- Colors and backgrounds
- Styling text
- Page layout techniques
- Introduction to responsive design
The workload is comparable to the HTML5 course, with around 20 hours of material. The focus is on hands-on practice to reinforce concepts.
3. HTML & CSS – Udacity
This free course from Udacity is another solid option for learning HTML and CSS basics. It‘s estimated at only 3 weeks to complete, so it‘s a more condensed option.
Covered concepts include:
- HTML document structure and elements
- Working with CSS selectors
- Box model and layout
- Classes and IDs
The course includes quizzes and a final project to practice your skills. It‘s a good choice for those who want a quicker introduction to the essentials.
4. Learn HTML & CSS: How To Start Your Web Development Career – Codecademy
Codecademy offers this free introductory course on their interactive learning platform. It‘s a mix of instruction and hands-on coding in their online code editor.
Students learn:
- Setting up an HTML document
- Formatting page content
- Styling with CSS selectors
- Best practices for code style
This is a beginner-friendly option for those who prefer a more interactive learning experience. Expect around 20 hours to complete.
JavaScript Courses
5. Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS – Duke University / Coursera
This highly-rated course is a comprehensive introduction to web development, covering the essentials of all three cornerstone languages.
Topics include:
- JavaScript basics: variables, data types, functions, conditionals
- Accessing and manipulating the DOM with JS
- Creating page structure with HTML
- Styling pages with CSS selectors and rules
The course takes approximately 29 hours to complete and includes several quizzes and a culminating mini-project.
6. JavaScript Basics – Udacity
This free course from Udacity focuses specifically on learning the foundations of JavaScript syntax and programming concepts.
It covers:
- Variables and arithmetic operations
- Conditional statements
- Loops and iteration
- Functions and scope
- Arrays and objects
This is a strong choice for those who want a deep dive into JS basics, separate from HTML/CSS. The course is estimated at 4 weeks, assuming 6 hours per week of work.
7. Introduction to JavaScript – freeCodeCamp
The freeCodeCamp curriculum includes this robust JavaScript introduction. It‘s a completely self-paced, interactive course that tracks your progress through a series of coding challenges.
Major topics:
- Basic JavaScript syntax
- ES6 features
- Debugging
- Data structures
- Object-oriented and functional programming concepts
This course could take 100+ hours to fully complete, but the hands-on exercises are invaluable for really understanding the material. It‘s a great option for self-motivated learners.
8. Learn Intermediate JavaScript – Codecademy
For those who already have some familiarity with JavaScript basics, this Codecademy course offers a way to level up your skills.
It delves into more advanced topics like:
- Scope and closure
- Asynchronous programming with promises
- Classes and modules
- Error handling techniques
Expect to spend 10+ hours working through the interactive lessons and exercises in this course.
A Roadmap for Learning Web Development
As a professional full-stack developer, here is my suggested learning path for aspiring web developers:
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Start with HTML/CSS: Begin your journey by learning how to structure and style webpages with HTML and CSS. Focus on mastering the box model, positioning, and basic responsive design principles. Build a few static pages to practice.
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Dive into JavaScript basics: Once you‘re comfortable with HTML/CSS, start learning JavaScript fundamentals. Grasp variables, data types, control flow, and functions. Practice manipulating the DOM with JS.
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Revisit HTML/CSS: Circle back to HTML/CSS to solidify your understanding and explore more advanced concepts like flexbox, grid, and responsive images. Rebuild your static pages with your new skills.
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Level up your JavaScript: With strong fundamentals down, dive into intermediate and advanced JavaScript topics. Explore ES6+ features, object-oriented programming, functional concepts, and asynchronous programming. Start working with APIs.
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Build projects: Put your skills to the test by building small web projects. Start with a simple to-do list app or a weather widget, and work up to more complex applications. Focus on reinforcing your JS/HTML/CSS skills.
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Explore frameworks and libraries: Once you‘re comfortable with vanilla JS, start exploring popular libraries and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue. Learn how to use package managers and build tools like npm and webpack.
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Keep building and learning: The world of web development is constantly evolving. Keep your skills sharp by consistently building projects, learning new technologies, and staying engaged with the dev community.
The most important thing is to practice consistently and learn by doing. Don‘t get discouraged if concepts don‘t click immediately – web development has a learning curve, but it‘s an incredibly rewarding skill to develop.
Career Prospects in Web Development
Learning web development can open the door to a variety of exciting career paths:
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Front-End Developer: Specialize in the client-side of web development, focusing on creating engaging user interfaces with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for front-end developers in the US is $86,178.
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Back-End Developer: Focus on server-side web application logic, working with languages like Ruby, Python, or Node.js. These developers earn an average of $101,619 per year in the US.
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Full-Stack Developer: Combine front-end and back-end skills to build complete web applications. The average base pay for US full-stack developers is $97,849.
Of course, salaries vary based on location, experience level, and company, but web development skills are in consistently high demand across industries. And with the continued growth of e-commerce and web-based services, this demand shows no signs of slowing down.
To stand out in the job market and demonstrate your skills, it‘s important to build a portfolio of projects. Contribute to open source projects, participate in coding challenges, and continually learn and experiment with new technologies. Networking and connecting with other developers is also key for finding opportunities.
Start Your Web Development Journey Today
In conclusion, learning web development fundamentals is a smart investment in your future, and there‘s no better time to start than now. With hundreds of free online courses available, you can begin building valuable skills at your own pace and on your own schedule.
By focusing on the core technologies of HTML, CSS and JavaScript, you‘ll be well on your way to an exciting and rewarding career in web development. It‘s a journey that requires dedication and continuous learning, but the payoff is well worth the effort.
So choose a course, start coding, and take the first steps towards your web development goals today. The future is bright for those with programming skills – will you be a part of it?