Learn How to Code for Free: A DIY Guide for Learning HTML, Python, Javascript & More

This week, we’re launching the beginning of a new, ongoing series. We’re creating guides that will teach you how to learn important subjects on your own, using free resources available on the web. Want an example? Just look below. Here you’ll find a list of free resources–online courses, instructional videos, YouTube channels, textbooks, etc.–that will teach how to code for free. If we’re missing great items, please add your suggestions in the comments below.

This collection is just a start, and it will continue to grow over time. In the meantime, if there are other guides you’d like to see us develop in the coming weeks, please let us know in the comments section too. We’re happy to get your feedback.

How to Code (Software)

• Codecademy: A free site for learning everything from Making a Website to Python in a “user active” style—meaning that users can use tutorials to design projects of their own choosing. The site also makes it easy to track your progress. Other topics you can learn include: Create an Interactive Website, Ruby, Javascript, HTML & CSS, SQL and more. Register and sign up for all classes here. (See our post on Codecademy here.)
• Code School: Code School courses are built around a creative theme and storyline so that it feels like you’re playing a game, not sitting in a classroom. The site offers a set of free courses covering JavaScript, jQuery, Python, Ruby and more.
• Free Code Camp: An open source community that helps you learn to code. You can work through self-paced coding challenges, build projects, and earn certifications. According to Wired, the site “features a sequence of online tutorials to help the absolute beginner learn become a web developer, starting with building a simple webpage. Students move on to programming with JavaScript and, eventually, learning to build complete web applications using modern frameworks such as Angular and Node.”
• The Odin Project: Made by the creators of Viking Code School, an online coding bootcamp, the Odin Project offers free coding lessons in web development. Topics include: HTML, CSS, JavaScript & jQuery, Ruby programming, Ruby on Rails. Find an introduction to the curriculum here.

• Google’s Python Class:  A free class (used within Google itself) for people with a little bit of programming experience who want to learn Python. The class includes written materials, lecture videos, and lots of code exercises to practice Python coding.
• Google’s C++ Course: Welcome to Google’s C++ Class. This class includes written materials, lecture videos, examples, and exercises to practice C++ coding.
• Coding for Kids from Code.org: Code.org, a non-profit, has created a fun way for students to learn the basics of coding. They’ve launched Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code, a tutorial designed to teach students how to write JavaScript. There’s also a version that teaches code with Minecraft, and a separate beginner’s tutorial for kids between the ages of 6 and 10.
• Online Computer/Coding Courses from Major Universities:
  • You can find dozens of free courses, covering all facets of coding, listed in our collection of Free Online Computer Science Courses. The courses come from top universities.
  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) focused on Coding are regularly offered through providers like Coursera, edx, Udacity, Alison, FutureLearn, MIT, and Khan Academy. Udemy itself has a short course called “The Best Free Resources To Learn How To Program.”
  • Harvard’s Popular Intro to Computer Science: Get free access to Harvard’s popular introductory coding course designed for majors and non-majors alike. Combines courses typically known elsewhere as “CS1” and “CS2.”
  • Stanford’s Free Course on Developing Apps with iOS: If you’re looking to develop apps for iPhone or iPad, this handy Stanford course will go a long way.

• YouTube Channels for Learning Coding: Channels you might want to visit include:
  • Coder’s Guide: Features videos on HTML web development, cross-platform Java programming, beginner .net programming with Visual Basic and client side JavaScript web development.
  • Code Course: Learn to code and build things with easy to follow tutorials. A number of videos focus on PHP. Find more materials on the channel’s web site.
  • LearnCode.academy: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, CSS Layouts, Responsive Design etc.
  • DevTips: Web design and web development.
  • The New Boston: Programming, web design, networking, video game development, graphic design, etc.
  • The Google Developers Channel: Offers lessons, talks, the latest news & best practices in subjects like Android, Chrome, Web Development, Polymer, Performance, iOS & more.
  • You can find more YouTube Channels here: 33 Useful Youtube-channels for learning Web Design and Development.
• Free Programming Textbooks from Github: Access 500+ “free programming books that cover more than 80 different programming languages on the popular web-based Git repository hosting service.”
• Free Computer Science Textbooks: On our site, find a list of free textbooks (aka open textbooks) written by knowledgable scholars.

Sources that helped us create this list above include: Inc., Learn to Code with Me, and WebBuildDesign.

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