Build practical programming and technology skills

Programming Foundations

Understand how programs process data, make decisions, repeat work, organize logic, and report errors, then build and debug a command-line application.

View curriculum

FoundationDifficulty

30 hoursEstimated time

7 modules28 lessons

5 guided labsKnowledge check

Plan your learning

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Core · Programming Foundations
Core · How Programs Work
Core · Values Variables And Types
Core · Decisions And Boolean Logic
Core · Loops And Repeated Work
Core · Functions And Reusable Logic

Prerequisites

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Tools

A current web browser
A code editor or terminal appropriate to the path
A safe local or virtual lab environment

Before you begin

What you need

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Step-by-step curriculum

Learning modules

Complete lessons in order or open the module that matches your current goal. Your lesson progress is saved on this device.

01How Programs WorkBuild practical skill in how programs work and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

How Programs Work: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying How Programs Work in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore How Programs Work in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore How Programs Work safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical How Programs Work Example in Programming Foundations

Trace a tiny program from source/input through execution to output, identifying what the runtime, operating system, memory, and processor contribute.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common How Programs Work Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in How Programs Work, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Safe

Guided Lab: How Programs Work in Programming Foundations

Programming Foundations — How Programs Work lab: Trace a tiny program from source/input through execution to output, identifying what the runtime, operating system, memory, and processor contribute.

Not started

02Values, Variables, and TypesBuild practical skill in values, variables, and types and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Values, Variables, and Types: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Values, Variables, and Types in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Values, Variables, and Types in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Values, Variables, and Types safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Values, Variables, and Types Example in Programming Foundations

Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Values, Variables, and Types Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Values, Variables, and Types, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Values, Variables, and Types in Programming Foundations

Programming Foundations — Values, Variables, and Types lab: Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

Not started

03Decisions and Boolean LogicBuild practical skill in decisions and boolean logic and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Decisions and Boolean Logic: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Decisions and Boolean Logic in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Decisions and Boolean Logic in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Decisions and Boolean Logic safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Decisions and Boolean Logic Example in Programming Foundations

Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Decisions and Boolean Logic Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Decisions and Boolean Logic, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Decisions and Boolean Logic in Programming Foundations

Programming Foundations — Decisions and Boolean Logic lab: Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

Not started

04Loops and Repeated WorkBuild practical skill in loops and repeated work and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Loops and Repeated Work: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Loops and Repeated Work in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Loops and Repeated Work in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Loops and Repeated Work safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Loops and Repeated Work Example in Programming Foundations

Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Loops and Repeated Work Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Loops and Repeated Work, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Loops and Repeated Work in Programming Foundations

Programming Foundations — Loops and Repeated Work lab: Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

Not started

05Functions and Reusable LogicBuild practical skill in functions and reusable logic and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Functions and Reusable Logic: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Functions and Reusable Logic in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Functions and Reusable Logic in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Functions and Reusable Logic safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Functions and Reusable Logic Example in Programming Foundations

Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Functions and Reusable Logic Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Functions and Reusable Logic, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Functions and Reusable Logic in Programming Foundations

Programming Foundations — Functions and Reusable Logic lab: Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

Not started

06Collections and Structured DataBuild practical skill in collections and structured data and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Collections and Structured Data: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Collections and Structured Data in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Collections and Structured Data in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Collections and Structured Data safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Collections and Structured Data Example in Programming Foundations

Store a small dataset in an appropriate collection, update it, search it, and explain why the chosen structure fits.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Collections and Structured Data Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Collections and Structured Data, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

07Errors and DebuggingBuild practical skill in errors and debugging and connect it to the outcomes of Programming Foundations.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Errors and Debugging: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Errors and Debugging in Programming Foundations.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Errors and Debugging in Programming Foundations

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Errors and Debugging safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Errors and Debugging Example in Programming Foundations

Create or use a controlled failure, capture the error, identify the failing boundary, fix one cause, and rerun the original reproduction.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Errors and Debugging Problems in Programming Foundations

Recognize common failure modes in Errors and Debugging, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Portfolio integration

Capstone Project

Build a Command-Line Task Manager

Combine the path skills in a portfolio-ready project with clear functional requirements, tests, verification evidence, and operating notes.

GuidedIndependentPortfolio

Acceptance criteria

The core workflow works from start to finish.
Invalid input or failure states are handled clearly.
The result is tested and documented.
A reviewer can reproduce the setup and verification.

Continue in Programming

Related Programming

Skill assessment

Programming Foundations

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Prerequisites

Tools

What you need

Learning modules

How Programs Work: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore How Programs Work in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical How Programs Work Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common How Programs Work Problems in Programming Foundations

Guided Lab: How Programs Work in Programming Foundations

Values, Variables, and Types: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Values, Variables, and Types in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Values, Variables, and Types Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Values, Variables, and Types Problems in Programming Foundations

Guided Lab: Values, Variables, and Types in Programming Foundations

Decisions and Boolean Logic: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Decisions and Boolean Logic in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Decisions and Boolean Logic Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Decisions and Boolean Logic Problems in Programming Foundations

Guided Lab: Decisions and Boolean Logic in Programming Foundations

Loops and Repeated Work: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Loops and Repeated Work in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Loops and Repeated Work Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Loops and Repeated Work Problems in Programming Foundations

Guided Lab: Loops and Repeated Work in Programming Foundations

Functions and Reusable Logic: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Functions and Reusable Logic in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Functions and Reusable Logic Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Functions and Reusable Logic Problems in Programming Foundations

Guided Lab: Functions and Reusable Logic in Programming Foundations

Collections and Structured Data: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Collections and Structured Data in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Collections and Structured Data Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Collections and Structured Data Problems in Programming Foundations

Errors and Debugging: Core Concepts for Programming Foundations

Set Up and Explore Errors and Debugging in Programming Foundations

Build a Practical Errors and Debugging Example in Programming Foundations

Debug Common Errors and Debugging Problems in Programming Foundations

Capstone Project

Build a Command-Line Task Manager

Acceptance criteria

Test your understanding

Related Programming

Check your starting point

Plan the capstone

Explore related paths