What Is Programming? And How To Get Started
January 28, 2025
Article
This course is part of Programming with Google Go Specialization
Instructor: Ian Harris
75,171 already enrolled
Included with
(2,367 reviews)
(2,367 reviews)
Add to your LinkedIn profile
3 assignments
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
Learn the basics of Go, an open source programming language originally developed by a team at Google and enhanced by many contributors from the open source community. This course is designed for individuals with previous programming experience using such languages as C, Python, or Java, and covers the fundamental elements of Go. Topics include data types, protocols, formats, and writing code that incorporates RFCs and JSON. Most importantly, you’ll have a chance to practice writing Go programs and receive feedback from your peers. Upon completing this course, you'll be able to implement simple Go programs, which will prepare you for subsequent study at a more advanced level.
1 reading
Learn the basics of Go, an open source programming language originally developed by a team at Google and enhanced by many contributors from the open source community. This is the first in a series of three courses comprising the Programming with Google Go specialization. It is designed for individuals with previous programming experience using such languages as C, Python, or Java, and covers the fundamental elements of Go. Topics include data types, protocols, formats, and writing code that incorporates RFCs and JSON. Most importantly, you’ll have a chance to practice writing Go programs and receive feedback from your peers. Upon completing this course, you’ll be able to implement simple Go programs, which will prepare you for the remaining two courses in this specialization: Functions, Methods, and Interfaces in Go and Concurrency in Go.
1 video1 reading
This first module gets you started with Go. You'll learn about the advantages of using Go and begin exploring the language's features. Midway through the module, you’ll take a break from "theory" and install the Go programming environment on your computer. At the end of the module, you'll write a simple program that displays “Hello, World” on your screen.
9 videos1 assignment1 peer review
Now that you’ve set up your programming environment and written a test program, you’re ready to dive into data types. This module introduces data types in Go and gives you practice writing routines that manipulate different kinds of data objects, including floating-point numbers and strings.
11 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews
At this point, we’re ready to move into more complex data types, including arrays, slices, maps, and structs. As in the previous module, you’ll have a chance to practice writing code that makes use of these data types.
7 videos1 assignment1 peer review
This final module of the course introduces the use of remote function calls (RFCs) and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) in Go. You’ll learn how to access and manipulate data from external files, and have an opportunity to write several routines using Go that exercise this functionality.
5 videos2 peer reviews
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UC Irvine’s unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities in many ways.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Course
Edureka
Course
Edureka
Course
University of California, Irvine
Specialization
2,367 reviews
71.77%
20.42%
4.81%
1.98%
1.01%
Showing 3 of 2367
Reviewed on May 8, 2020
Great introduction. The instructor explains basic concepts really well and to the right amount of depth. I wish there are moderators that are more on top of questions raised in discussion.
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2021
I thank Professor Ian Harris for her excellent knowledge.And thank you to the coursera for providing this good course.This course was great and helped me a lot.I wish success to the coursera team.
Reviewed on Apr 1, 2019
One of best course i encountered for teaching a new programming languages.People with none C programming background may feel trouble but with some effort you can easily catch up.
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.