Core 1 — Programming Foundations (C & C++)

Core 1 — Programming Foundations is a complete, practical, beginner-level introduction to programming using two of the most important languages in computing: C and C++. This is a self-paced course designed to take a complete beginner — someone who has never written a line of code — through real, working programs, over roughly 4 to 6 months depending on your pace.

You do not need any prior programming experience. You do need a computer, patience, and a willingness to type code, break it, and fix it — because that is how programming is actually learned. This course is built around practical coding, not just theory: nearly every lesson includes real code you can type and run yourself, and every module ends with a hands-on quiz.

C is one of the oldest and most influential programming languages still in active use today, and it teaches you exactly how a computer actually manages memory and instructions — knowledge that makes every language you learn afterward easier to understand. C++ builds directly on C, adding object-oriented programming, a powerful standard library, and the tools used to build everything from operating systems and game engines to trading systems and embedded devices. Together, they form one of the strongest possible foundations for a serious programming career.

What you will build and learn:

• How computers actually execute programs, before writing a single line of code
• Core C programming: variables, control flow, functions, arrays, strings, and pointers
• Practical C applications: reading and writing files, working with structures, and a real mini-project
• The transition from C to C++, and why object-oriented programming exists
• C++ classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism
• The C++ Standard Template Library (STL) and modern, safer C++ practices
• A final capstone project that combines everything you have learned

This course includes two full, free companion video courses from Bro Code (a well-established, free programming education channel on YouTube) — one covering C, one covering C++ — linked directly inside the relevant modules, in addition to this course’s own written lessons, code examples, and practice activities.