CS50's Introduction to Computer Science
Beginner 100 hours English Verified CertificateFREE
Editor's Pick
The legendary Harvard intro to CS. Free, world-class, and the best foundation for any technical career.
What you'll learn
Think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently
Program in C, Python, SQL and JavaScript
Understand memory, pointers and data structures
Build dynamic web apps with Flask
Use SQL and design relational databases
Work with the DOM and asynchronous JavaScript
Build and ship a final project of your own design
This course includes
100h
Lecture video
100+
Readings & specs
50+
Problem sets
Optional
Harvard certificate
Comparison · LBS
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Syllabus· 6 courses · 19+ lessons
- Algorithms and computational thinking
- Scratch programming project
- Functions, variables, conditionals
- Loops and types
- Problem set: Mario and Cash
- Strings and arrays
- Sorting and searching
- Pointers and dynamic memory
- Problem set: Speller / Recover
- Linked lists, hash tables, tries
- Tree structures
- DS problem set
- Python from C perspective
- SQL and SQLite
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Problem set: DNA / Movies / Birthdays
- Flask web framework
- Sessions, cookies and APIs
- Final project — anything you want
Instructor
DM
David J. Malan
Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
4.5M learners10+ courses 4.9 instructor rating
David Malan is the Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard. He has led CS50, Harvard's introductory computer science course, since 2007 — turning it into the largest course on edX and the most-taken Ivy League course online.
Requirements
- Genuine commitment — CS50 is famously challenging
- A computer with internet access (browser IDE provided)
- No prior programming experience required
- 10–20 hours per week for ~12 weeks
Who this course is for
- Anyone who wants a real CS foundation
- Self-taught developers filling in fundamentals
- High-school and university students
- Career switchers serious about engineering
About this provider
eX
edX
University-backed online learning platform · 142M learners · 7,000+ courses
4.6 trust score·Refund within 14 days
Frequently asked questions
CS50 is harder, broader (C, Python, SQL, JS) and more rigorous. Python for Everybody is gentler and Python-only. Choose CS50 if you want a real CS foundation; choose PFE if you just want to learn Python.
Yes if you want a Harvard credential on LinkedIn — recruiters universally recognise CS50. The course content is free; you only pay for the verified cert.
Not directly — it is an intro course, not a bootcamp. But it gives a stronger foundation than most bootcamps and is the launching pad many self-taught engineers start with.
CS50x is the original general intro (this one). CS50P is Python-only and easier. CS50W is web-focused and harder. Take x first, then specialise.
Harvard's on-campus students do it in a semester. Online learners average 3–6 months at 10 hours/week. The final project alone takes 20+ hours of focused work.