| Alternative | Best For | Comparison | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Depth & rigor | CS50 is harder and faster. Take Fundamentals first, then CS50. | | freeCodeCamp | Hands-on coding | FCC throws you into challenges immediately. Use Fundamentals as the theory companion. | | Codecademy | Interactive syntax | Codecademy teaches language syntax; Lynda teaches logic . Use both. | | "Think Like a Programmer" (Book) | Problem solving | The book is a text-based extension of Simon's video concepts. |
A major hurdle for self-taught programmers is "spaghetti code"—messy, unmanageable scripts that go on for thousands of lines. Allardice tackles this early by introducing functions (or methods). He frames functions not just as a way to reuse code, but as a way to organize thought. By breaking a massive problem into small, bite-sized chunks, the student learns the professional habit of modularity. Lynda.com - Foundations of Programming - Fundam...
This is where the magic happens. You learn how to make decisions in code. | Alternative | Best For | Comparison |
Simon starts with the metaphor of a "recipe." Programming is simply writing a list of instructions for a dumb machine. You will learn the difference between syntax (grammar) and semantics (meaning), and why writing code for humans is as important as writing it for computers. Use Fundamentals as the theory companion
By mastering these, learning any specific language (Swift, Java, or C#) becomes a matter of learning new vocabulary, not a new way of thinking.
"Lynda.com - Foundations of Programming - Fundamentals" is a foundational course focused on core coding principles like variables and data structures. It outlines essential logic, sequence, selection, and iteration for programming beginners. The course, now available on LinkedIn Learning, was designed to teach fundamental programming constructs. For more on fundamental concepts, visit
Master those three things, and you have mastered the foundation of every application, website, and robot ever built.