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UBCx: How to Code: Simple Data

4.1 stars
8 ratings
Learn the secret to writing well-tested and easy to improve programs, that will set you up to master any programming language
How to Code: Simple Data
7 weeks
2–3 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

160,621 already enrolled! After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Mar 27
Ends Dec 31

About this course

Skip About this course

This programming course takes a unique approach, as it focuses on learning a systematic programming method rather than a programming language. This practical approach will help you channel your creativity so that you can program well in any language.

This course, part of the Software Development MicroMasters Program, presents a core design method with a focus on numbers, strings, images and lists.

You will learn techniques to:

  • Develop program requirements
  • Produce programs with consistent structure that are easy to modify later
  • Make your programs more reliable by building tests as an integral part of the programming process.

This course concludes with the design of a simple interactive game.

Learners who enroll in the Verified track will receive staff grading for the course project and increased interaction with the instructor and staff.


Learner Testimonial

"I have taken and completed tens of MOOCs on programming and computer science, I have even been and I am currently a TA in some of these courses. Among them are a few that deserve without hesitation the highest rate. But if I had to choose only one at the top of them it would be these two courses on systematic program design." - edX Learner

At a glance

  • Institution: UBCx
  • Subject: Computer Science
  • Level: Introductory
  • Prerequisites:
    No programming experience required, but many experienced programmers take this course to become better programmers.
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:Creativity, Software Development, Program Design Languages, Computer Science

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • How to represent information as data
  • How to focus each part of your program on a single task
  • How to use examples and tests to clarify what your program should do
  • How to simplify the structure of your program using common patterns
  • Recognize and represent more complicated information

Learner testimonials

Skip Learner testimonials
"I have taken and completed tens of MOOCs on programming and computer science, I have even been and I am currently a TA in some of these courses. Among them are a few that deserve without hesitation the highest rate. But if I had to choose only one at the top of them it would be these two courses on systematic program design."

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Software Development MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
6 graduate-level courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
9 months
6 - 8 hours per week

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