Getting started
Code.org
Free
With the goal of making computer science education more available in schools, Code.org offers ways for students and teachers to get involved, including organizing the Hour of Code. Their online tutorials offer a great way to get students of all ages interested in programming.
You can learn:
- Scratch
- JavaScript
- iOS/Android
- Python
- How to write your first computer program
Codecademy
Free
Codecademy provides step-by-step instructions and interactive tutorials, so you can practice writing the code yourself. It has lessons and guides for several popular programming languages, which makes it a great start for beginners.
You can learn:
- How to make a website
- HTML/CSS
- Python
- JavaScript
- jQuery
- PHP
- Ruby
Khan Academy
Free
While Khan Academy focuses on several aspects of education, they have a section in computer programming that teaches the fundamentals of programming with JavaScript.
You can learn:
- The fundamentals of computer programming
- JavaScript
Treehouse
$25 – $49/month after a 14-day free trial
By combining quizzes, videos, and code challenges, Treehouse offers an interactive online education and specific paths to help you reach your goals.
You can learn:
- HTML
- CSS
- Ruby
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Design
- Wordpress
- iOS
- Android
- Development Tools
Code School
$29/month
Code School courses involve screencasts, code challenges, and video lessons. Their course list is extensive and can be a great way to get started if you are looking to learn online.
You can learn:
- Ruby
- JavaScript
- HTML/CSS
- iOS
- Git
- Much more
Eloquent JavaScript (book)
Free
Marijn Haverbeke’s free book, Eloquent JavaScript, is a great resource for any developer who wants to dig into full-stack JavaScript.
You can learn:
- Values, Types, and Operators
- Program Structure
- Functions
- Objects
- Regular Expressions
- Modules
- Node.js
- Much more
Beyond the basics
Mozilla Developer Network
Free
Mozilla Developer Network is a collection of articles explaining different technologies surrounding web development. While it can be a lot of reading, it is a great source for newbies who are getting started in more than just language syntax.
You can learn:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Web APIs & DOM
- Developer Tools
lynda
$25 - $37.50/month after a 7-day free trial
lynda.com has a lot of classes for diving deeper into topics — the only downside is that it can be hard to sort through all of their classes to find one that fits your needs. But if you know exactly what you want to learn, it is probably on lynda.com.
*Check with your local library! Several county libraries across the U.S. have teamed up with lynda.com and other online resources to offer free memberships to card holders.
You can learn:
- Web Development
- UX
- Web Design
- Ruby
- iOS
- JavaScript
- Much more
Udacity
$200/month after a 14-day free trial
Udacity has a range of course levels, from beginner to advanced. Its structure is one of an online school, where you pay monthly for a class that will take several months to complete, rather than a subscription-based platform that provides open access to the entire site. The most expensive option on this list, it is a great option for the self-motivated who are ready to commit to the course, and there are several advanced options for continuing your education.
You can learn:
- Data Science
- Web Development
- Software Engineering
- Mobile Development
Pluralsight
$29 – $49/month after a 10-day free trial
Another great source for a wide range of topics and languages, Pluralsight offers courses consisting of training videos and more, depending on your subscription.
You can learn:
- Python
- JavaScript
- Swift
- C#
- C++
- Much more
Learning JavaScript Design Patterns (book)
Free
If you are ready to dig deeper into JavaScript, check out Addy Osmani’s free book, Learning JavaScript Design Patterns, focused on classical and modern design patterns in JavaScript.
You can learn:
- How to write well-structured code
- Design patterns in JavaScript
Test your skills
JSFiddle
Free
JSFiddle is a great tool as you start bringing your training in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript together. The layout is easy to use, and you can see in real time what your website or web app will look like as you build it.
You can learn:
- How to bring your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript together
Coderbyte
Free
Through code challenges, Coderbyte provides a way for novice and hobbyist programmers to practice what they have been learning. Challenges range from easy to difficult, so you can test and stretch what you know.
You can learn:
- How to complete a code challenge
- Where you are in your skill level
- The areas and topics where you need more practice or training
Stack Overflow
Free
What list of development and learning resources would be complete without Stack Overflow? If you have a specific how-to or code question, it has probably been asked and answered on Stack Overflow. If not, the community is really helpful and will answer new questions quickly.
You can learn:
- The answer to any issues you run into with your code
Want to learn more about a career in tech? Join us in Code 101, a one-day workshop designed for coding beginners and career switchers! Learn more about Code 101 »
