In today’s post we’re sharing the best C++ courses for 2021.
These are a mix of interactive coding, video and hybrid learning.
All are beginner friendly.
Some contain more than one course (we’ll explain later).
But wait…
What is C++ used for?
C++ is used to develop desktop-based applications.
In addition, you can use C++ for:
- animations
- gaming engines
- developing web browsers
- medical applications
- engineering
And much more.
So if you’re interested in C++, sit back and relax. Because today we’re showing you the best C++ courses for 2021.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.
TLDR: 7 Best C++ Courses for 2021
Best Course for C++ Newbies
❤️ Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners
Best Comprehensive C++ Option
1. Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners
Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners has 161 lessons packed with code snippets, illustrations, code playgrounds and challenges.
In addition, there are 81 multiple choice quizzes.
First, you’ll learn the absolute basics of C++:
- variables and constants
- data types and input
- operators
- conditional statements
- loops, functions, recursion, arrays
- pointers
- structures
And dynamic memory allocation.
Then you’ll work your way up to real-world mini coding projects. These include creating a Hangman game and converting a gray scale image into black and white.
By the end of Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners , you’ll have a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of C++.
But learning C++ doesn’t have to stop there. Educative.io has other C++ courses including:
- Learn Object-Oriented Programming in C++
- Data Structures in C++: An Interview Refresher
- Algorithms in C++: An Interview Refresher
- C++ Standard Library including C++ 14 & C++ 17
- Embedded Programming with Modern C++
- Generic Programming Templates in C++
These courses range from beginner to intermediate to advanced.
There are no videos on Educative.io.
Instead you read and use the hands-on coding environments to learn. As they explain:
Videos are holding you back. The average video tutorial is spoken at 150 words per minute, while you can read at 250. That’s why our courses are text-based.
– educative.io
Educative Price: $21 per month for an annual subscription / $59 per month for a monthly subscription
Duration: 10 hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Interactive text
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about LEARN C++: THE COMPLETE COURSE FOR BEGINNERS
2. Learn C++ from Scratch
Learn C++ from Scratch is another hyper-interactive Educative.io course. It contains 74 lessons. These lessons are packed with code snippets, illustrations, code playgrounds and challenges.
You’ll start by writing a “Hello, World!” program. This is typically the first thing you learn in any programming language.
Then you’ll learn C++ fundamentals such as:
- variables and user input
- math functions in C++
- conditional statements
- loops
- functions and recursion
- classes and inheritance
And more.
In addition to quizzes, you’ll work on three C++ exams. These questions include multiple choice, matching and writing code.
This course is similar to Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners.
But it’s a little less detailed. Therefore, this may be a better course for absolute beginners.
Educative Price: $21 per month for an annual subscription / $59 per month for a monthly subscription
Duration: 10 hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Interactive text
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about LEARN C++ FROM SCRATCH
3. Learn C++
Learn C++ is a beginner course on Codecademy Pro.
With this course, you’ll learn using an embedded code editor. This means the lesson, exercises and coding are all in the same browser.
Learn C++ starts with fundamental programming concepts such as:
- variables
- conditionals and logic
- loops
- vectors
- functions
Then, you’ll move on to more advanced C++ concepts like:
- classes
- objects
- references
- pointers
Throughout the course you’ll be building some neat mini projects like:
- Harry Potter Sorting Hat – Conditionals & logic
- Tic-Tac-Toe: Functions
- Fizz Buzz: Loops
- Magic 8-ball: Conditionals & logic
- Piggy bank: Variables
And many more.
These engaging and fun mini projects make Learn C++ one of the best C++ courses in 2021.
Codecademy uses a blend of lessons, articles, quizzes and projects to reinforce concepts.
But there are occasional videos to clarify difficult concepts.
An excellent way to start learning to code or to improve front/back end knowledge.
– Spica on the Codecademy platform, Trustpilot review
Codecademy Price: $19.99 per month for a yearly subscription / 39.99 per month for a monthly subscription
Duration: 25 hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Interactive text
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about LEARN C++
4. Learn to Program with C++
Learn to Program with C++ is for students that have no prior programming experience.
Produced by Pluralsight, you’ll learn the basics of C++ alongside C++ syntax.
First, you’ll learn C++ basics like how to build and run applications.
Then, you’ll learn C++ fundamental concepts like:
- local variables
- functions and headers
- strings and collections
- writing classes
- flow of control
And much more.
In addition, you’ll how to use classes from the C++ Standard Library.
Finally, you’ll learn how to write and use classes and functions.
Pluralsight is a video-based platform.
This means all lessons are presented in video form.
So you’ll be doing all coding within an integrated developer environment (IDE) and the command line.
But don’t worry. They’ll show you how to set everything up.
Also, they’ll give you some tips and tricks to use them more efficiently.
Pluralsight Price: $29 per month / $25 per month with an annual subscription
Duration: 5.25 Hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Video
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about LEARN TO PROGRAM WITH C++
5. Optimizing R Code with Rcpp
Optimizing R Code with Rcpp is a little different than the other best C++ courses on this list.
This course is to teach students how to use C++ to boost the performance of their R code.
Therefore, this course is for data science students who already have a solid understanding of R programming.
With 52 lessons and exercises, you’ll learn about writing, benchmarking and debugging C++.
In addition, you’ll learn about functions, control flow and vector classes.
Finally you’ll work on case studies such as:
- random number generation
- rolling operations
- auto regressive model
And more.
DataCamp uses in integrated code editor. So you can work on exercises in the browser.
While most of the course is interactive text, there are some videos to introduce and reinforce concepts.
DataCamp is a beginner friendly platform, so everyone has an opportunity to learn.
– Veer Wright, Bitdegree review
DataCamp Price: $25 per month for all courses / $33.25 per month for all courses plus 80+ projects
Duration: 4 hours
Level: Intermediate
Format: Interactive text and video
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about OPTIMIZING R CODE WITH RCPP
6. C++ Skill Path
So the C++ Skill Path is actually a combination of 13 beginner, intermediate and advanced C++ courses.
This is another Pluralsight production. You’ll learn core concepts of C++ such as operators, classes and objects.
Then you’ll graduate to more complex concepts like overloading and lambdas.
Let’s take a closer look at what these courses have to offer…
C++ beginner courses will teach you introductory C++ fundamentals. Courses include:
- Learn to Program with C++
- C++ Fundamentals Including C++17
- Practical C++14 and C++17 Features
Intermediate courses will teach you how to design attractive and functional C++ code. Courses include:
- Reading Legacy C++
- Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms in C++
- C++ Standard Library: Associative Containers
And more.
Finally, advanced C++ courses will teach you how to write unit tests and expand your toolkit. Courses include:
- C++ Unit Testing Fundamentals Using Catch 2
- Advanced C++ Mocking Using Google Mock
- High-performance Computing in C++
If you want a full C++ immersion, the C++ Skill Path might be for you.
Pluralsight price: $29 per month / $25 per month for an annual subscription
Duration: 50+ hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Video
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about the C++ SKILL PATH
And finally #7 on our list of best C++ courses:
7. Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization
Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization is offered by Coursera.
This Specialization is similar to a Pluralsight skill path. You’ll learn C and C++ using a combination of 4 courses:
- C for Everyone: Programming Fundamentals
- C for Everyone: Structured Programming
- C++ for C Programmers: Part A
- C++ for C Programmers: Part B
This Specialization is ideal for beginners interested in building a strong foundation in C and C++.
You’ll learn everything from the basics of C programming to advanced C++ concepts.
By the end, you’ll be able to apply your skills using AI algorithms and Monte Carlo evaluation.
Also, you’ll work on an applied learning project.
This is a little different from our other best C++ courses for one major reason: You have to learn C before learning C++ in this Specialization.
So you’ll learn C++ through the eyes of C.
Coursera price: $49 per month for this Specialization / other prices vary
Duration: 50+ hours
Level: Beginner
Format: Video
Certificate: Yes
Learn more about the CODING FOR EVERYONE: C AND C++ SPECIALIZATION
7 Best C++ Courses for 2021: Conclusion
So what are the best C++ courses for 2021? We came up with 7:
- Learn C++: The Complete Course for Beginners
- Learn C++ from Scratch
- Learn C++
- Learn to Program with C++
- Optimizing R Code with Rcpp
- C++ Skill Path
- Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization
Some are interactive text-based. Some are video-based. And some are both.
But whatever you end up choosing, our picks for best C++ courses will get you up and running in no time.
Up Next: 12 Best Web Developer Books in 2021 [For Beginners]
The post 7 Best C++ Courses for 2021 [Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced] appeared first on RealToughCandy.
Top comments (1)
Can't recommend enough of the Pluralsight course. Kate Gregory is a renowned expert on C++ education and her conference talks are also worth watching.