This is CS50, Harvard University’s introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming, for concentrators and non-concentrators alike, with or without prior programming experience. (Two thirds of CS50 students have never taken CS before.) This course teaches you how to solve problems, both with and without code, with an emphasis on correctness, design, and style. Topics include computational thinking, abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and computer science more generally. Problem sets inspired by the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. More than teach you how to program in one language, this course teaches you how to program fundamentally and how to teach yourself new languages ultimately.

The course starts with a traditional but omnipresent language called C that underlies today’s newer languages, via which you’ll learn not only about functions, variables, conditionals, loops, and more, but also about how computers themselves work underneath the hood, memory and all. The course then transitions to Python, a higher-level language that you’ll understand all the more because of C. Toward term’s end, the course introduces SQL, via which you can store data in databases, along with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, via which you can create web and mobile apps alike. Course culminates in a final project.

I chose CS50 X because it offers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to computer science and programming. The course is designed to be accessible to students with no prior programming experience, making it an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning how to code. CS50 X covers a wide range of topics, from basic programming concepts to more advanced topics like data structures and algorithms, providing a solid foundation for further study in computer science. Furthermore, the course is known for its high-quality lectures, hands-on projects, and supportive community, which help students stay motivated and succeed in their learning journey. By taking CS50 X, students gain valuable skills that are applicable to a variety of fields and careers.