MIT's introductory edX course on computer science and programming, taught in Python, focused on building general CS foundations (computational thinking, algorithms, simple programs) rather than the language alone. It is the first of a two-part sequence with 6.00.2x.

Commenters call it a great, challenging introduction that teaches a CS foundation more than a specific language, and say it is one of the best free intro courses on edX.

On Reddit (16)

1. Strongly recommendsHuzaifaHussainr/learnprogramming2020in “I have started learning a dozen times and I'm finding it harder to return each time and needing to re-"learn" all the basics before actually starting to learn.”▲ 1

   From what I guess from your post, each of the time you tried to learn 'programming' , your weren't trying to learn programming, you were trying to make a 'final product' built with code. Learning programming is learning a way of thinking, not learning to write code. If you want to learn…

2. Strongly recommendsPr0ducerr/learnprogramming2020in “Im 15 and I want to be a computer programmer”▲ 1

   I recommend Python. It's a language that's relatively straight forward, and there's a huge online community. At 15, this might seem intimidating, but free college level classes are out there. https://www.edx.org/learn/python is Ivy-league schools. I especially recommend the 600.x series from MIT…

3. Strongly recommendsDimsmlr/learnprogramming2019in “I start in programming. Need help, please.”▲ 10

   Hint: these verb forms imply you are **male.** :) Female ones should be родилась и выросла. Anyway, Python is good, but I don't think there is a *best* language for learning programming. There are languages that might be good and bad at something, but there simply isn't a best one. Python is…

4. Strongly recommendspk7677r/learnprogramming2016in “Here's a SANITIZED list of 530+ free online programming/CS courses (MOOCs) with feedback(i.e. exams/homeworks/assignments) that you can start this month (December 2016)”

   I will check out the crypto course thanks and I also I find it funny that the saying you get what you pay for does not apply to these moocs or udemy courses at all. For any one else reading this before you make a purchase on some course some where just know this the MITx 600 is a goldmine for a…

5. Strongly recommendsExistential_Owlr/learnprogramming2016in “Aspiring Data Analyst here, I'd like some input on my learning plans for the next 10 months.”▲ 2

   I'm currently employed as a data analyst. As the others pointed out, knowing statistics is fairly important. You can get by without having a math background (like me), but you're always going to be struggling to keep up with the analytics. Programming-wise, performing basic SQL queries is a must…

6. Recommendstherealkainoar/learnprogramming2018in “I completed Html5, CSS, and Javascript on CodeAcademy now what?”

   I've enjoyed the MIT 6 series on edx. They use python and are not focused on web but if you want to get a good feel for object oriented programming I general those courses are fantastic.

7. Recommendsfieldsy4lifer/learnprogramming2017in “As someone who's just starting out, what are some things that beginners often overlook or don't consider when learning about programming for the first time?”

   There's so many good comments which is why I love this sub. My contribution being a fellow journeyman is to take an actual college course. I'd recommend MIT 6.00.1x (Python) and/or Harvard CS50x (web, C, Python, SQL). Both are available free on edx.org. The typical web based material is awesome…

8. RecommendsJamJamJibbityJamr/learnprogramming2015in “[Python] Best (Free) way to learn Python?”

   I agree with freakzilla149. It is a pretty big time commitment though, if you plan on doing the weekly projects (which I highly recommend). There is also a follow up to this course on Edx, 6.00.2x. I'm not sure if it will run again, but you can take the archived course.

9. RecommendsGriFManGr/Python2015in “completely new to programming, is treehouse a good starting point or”

   I agree. edX has a couple great MIT Python courses, among others. This is a GREAT starter imo 6.00.1x, this is an archive atm. But it will start over again if you want to get a certificate, possibly in the fall. They have a follow up as well. 6.00.2x The forums are a great help as well. I…

10. RecommendsMrMordocr/learnprogramming2014in “Udacity's CS101 versus edX's MIT 6.00.1x? Reputation? (x-post from r/learnpython)”▲ 1

    Just a heads up for the Foundations of Computer Science XSeries. I finished the 2nd course in the series back in May (started in March), and back then they said the next course would be at the end of 2014. They still have not offered or announced any dates for the follow up courses in the XSeries…

11. RecommendsBoom-bitch99r/learnprogramming2014in “51 Free eBooks On Python Programming”▲ 3

    Python is often called more a scripting language then a full on programming language, very useful for sysadmins writing quick little automation scripts or the like, or scientists/mathematicians performing a quick computation. Also nice for amatuer/hobbyist programmers. Professionally, it is used…

12. RecommendsTwojer/learnprogramming2014in “Stories of people that learned to code from zero, and their teachings to new beginners. It's been helping me a lot.”▲ 3

    I would forget about learning specifically C# for now and just find something that will give you a good foundation, because that's where it seems you're struggling and getting overwhelmed. I would recommend trying a MOOC on edX or Coursera. The MIT edX course for intro to computer science is…

13. Recommendsjas25666r/learnprogramming2013in “Recommended order of computer science courses?”▲ 1

    Just to add, the important thing and why I suggested following a real degree's curriculum, is that you must not skip any of the core classes. A lot of self-taught programmers don't see the need to study discrete math or algorithm analysis since they're not as "interesting" or immediately…

14. RecommendsMrSpiffyr/learnprogramming2012in “Just a heads up for those just starting out: Harvard CS50x started today.”▲ 1

    edX is probably the best MOOC platform I've had the pleasure of using. I haven't started the Harvard course yet but the MIT one is great! The interface is great, the forums have been really helpful, and everything just works!

15. Recommendsiltalfmer/artificial2012in “Maybe someone in here is qualified enough to hold a course on Artificial Intelligence on the University of Reddit ?”▲ 4

    If you're interested in a free class on AI, check out... https://www.edx.org/courses/BerkeleyX/CS188.1x/2012_Fall/about it recommends you know (or can quickly learn) python, but no worries... there is a class for that to (granted they run ~concurrently)…

16. Mentionskingkayveer/learnprogramming2015in “Log: January and Programming”▲ 1

    2015-01-07 1) continued 'Intro to Java' on Udacity * finished Lesson 7.3 - 2D arrays. Seemed straight forward enough (though not without some headbanging, either). * will finish Lesson 8 and ideally Problem Set 8 today as well. 2) will begin MIT 6.00.1X on EdX later tonight when it opens. This is…

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