Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Pre-Programming: Everything you need to know before you code
Bestseller
Highest Rated
Rating: 4.6 out of 5(13,085 ratings)
128,171 students

Pre-Programming: Everything you need to know before you code

Increase your chance of success learning to code and communicating with other developers
Created byEvan Kimbrell
Last updated 12/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • Better understand the fundamentals of how programming works
  • Understand the fundamentals of how computers work and how that relates to modern web technology
  • Choose what programming language and path they want to pursue in their career
  • Understand and apply the 8 basic concepts of programming
  • Evaluate, install, and modify any content management system
  • Understand world technology trends like responsive design, pair programming, PaaS systems, and the growth of APIs
  • Make a decision about what technology and ecosystem interests you
  • Correctly understand and apply the concept of a programming framework
  • Call out your friends for not knowing the difference between a framework, library, and IDE (they'll love you)
  • Communicate with others about technology in a way that doesn't immediately give away your inexperience
  • Impress your friends during drinks with random factoids about Bill Gates & Steve Jobs
  • Finally understand the reason Comcast keeps billing you $29.99

Course content

10 sections87 lectures6h 16m total length
  • Course Overview2:22
  • Join our community on Slack!

    Join the Slack community and learn alongside other Pre-Programming students!

    • Network with like minded students
    • Connect with the instructors directly
    • Follow along and ask lecture questions as you go
    • Learn from other students that are simultaneously watching the course
    • Find exclusive jobs and opportunities 

    Details inside.


  • Why care about computers?2:47
  • What is a computer?3:41
  • How does a computer work?9:31
  • How do computers send & receive information?2:35
  • Machinespeak & The Matrix11:09
  • What's an operating system?6:33
  • Operating systems in the modern era9:23
  • Desktop software7:14
  • Quiz
  • ACTIVITY: Get involved
  • Review & Recap: Section 1
  • Review sheets & course activities - all in one PDF0:01

Requirements

  • Access to the internet
  • A sense of humor

Description

60%+ of people who try to learn how to program end up quitting.

Why?

Is it because "programming just isn't for everyone"?

Or is it because only those with experience in hard sciences can learn it?

No, neither of those are true. It's simply due to the fact that the vast majority of people who try don't have a basic understanding of the technology they're going to use. 

How exactly can you tackle responsive design if you don't know how a browser works?

How are you going to create a desktop application if you don't know what makes your computer freeze constantly (besides porn, obviously)?

How are you going to hide your confused facial expression the next time your site's server crashes because of a "node socket problem" in your full stack Javascript?

If you've ever taken your computer to a technician and said "Make it work" or "It don't work good. Me cry" then you're exactly who needs this course.

Over the next 10 years the United States is expected to add over 2 million programming jobs. Jobs that pay well over $100,000 a year. And that's just the United States (Merica').

So if you're trying to jump on the coding gravy train, put down your bronze statuette of Elon Musk standing on Mars, and start filling in the gaps in your "tech literacy". Even if you yourself do not become a "coding ninja" yourself all the future coding ninjas you work with with thank you (and tell you to stop calling them coding ninjas).

About your instructor:

Hi, I'm Evan Kimbrell. I too struggled to learn the basics of programming. If failing to program were a sport, I'd be on the Dream Team. 

Today, I run a web and mobile development agency called Sprintkick and over the last 4 years we've built and managed over 100+ web & mobile applications. 

How does one so technologically challenged manage to pull this off? Well, first off I would disagree with "technologically challenged" (come on) and second it was actually straight forward. I just had to spend a concerted amount of time learning what I needed to know about basic computer, web, and programming technology as well as modern technology trends and advanced concepts. 

This course is an accelerated path designed to get you to "I get it" and finally start communicating correctly & effectively about technology.


Who this course is for:

  • Anyone interested in learning how to program that is already struggling or intimidated by the process
  • Anyone who wants to better communicate with development teams they work with
  • Anyone who wants to hire, vet, & manage developers more effectively
  • Anyone who is simply interested in getting an in depth understanding of modern web & mobile technology trends