basicsBeginner
Programming Basics
Before picking a language, learn the concepts shared by all of them: how a program "thinks", variables, conditions, loops and functions. We start from zero, assuming nothing.
14 chapters42 lessons28 challenges
Course curriculum
Chapter 1: What is a program
- ▸What is a program and a language
- ▸From code to execution
- ▸Thinking in steps: the algorithm
Chapter 2: Instructions and syntax
- ▸Instructions and syntax
- ▸The grammar of code
- ▸Comments done right
Chapter 3: Values and data types
- ▸Values and data types
- ▸Numbers, text and conversions
- ▸Booleans: yes/no answers
Chapter 4: Variables
- ▸Variables
- ▸Assigning and reassigning
- ▸Choosing good names
Chapter 5: Constants
- ▸Constants
- ▸When to use a constant
- ▸Constants across languages
Chapter 6: Operators and expressions
- ▸Operators and expressions
- ▸Arithmetic and precedence
- ▸Comparisons and logic: and, or, not
Chapter 7: Input, output and placeholders
- ▸Input, output and placeholders
- ▸Reading user input
- ▸Placeholders and formatting
Chapter 8: Conditions (if / else)
- ▸Conditions (if / else)
- ▸Building conditions
- ▸Typical if mistakes
Chapter 9: Loops and iteration
- ▸Loops and iteration
- ▸The for loop, step by step
- ▸While and the infinite loop
Chapter 10: Functions
- ▸Functions
- ▸Parameters and return value
- ▸Why split code into functions
Chapter 11: Collections: lists and maps
- ▸Collections: lists and maps
- ▸Lists in practice
- ▸Maps: looking up by name
Chapter 12: Libraries and imports
- ▸Libraries and imports
- ▸Standing on others' shoulders
- ▸Imports: how and why
Chapter 13: Errors and debugging
- ▸Errors and debugging
- ▸Reading error messages
- ▸Bug hunting: a method
Chapter 14: Brackets at a glance
- ▸Brackets at a glance
- ▸Round, square, curly: who does what
- ▸Balanced brackets and nested code
Ready to level up?
Create a free account and start now: earn XP on every challenge and climb the leaderboard.