It's never too late to start learning how to program, but making that decision is only the first step in a long journey. The real difficulty is finding good programming tutorials and courses that not only teach you the necessary skills, but do so in a practical context.

That's where Udemy steps in.

Sure, books can be a great way to learn -- and there are lots of free programming books available -- but they tend to be too abstract, theoretical, and ultimately hard to grasp. This is fine if your goal itself is abstract, like mastering a programming language without a concrete goal; otherwise, it can be a frustrating process.

Udemy offers hundreds of online courses, both free and paid, that teach you programming concepts using a hands-on approach. It's not just head knowledge -- you'll walk away from each course with finished programming projects that actually do something.

That's the best way to learn, if you ask me. As such, here are some notable Udemy courses that you may want to check out.

Web Development

Build Your First Website in 1 Week (Free)

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If you're an absolute newbie to web development, this is the first course you should take. Designed specifically for people in your position, Build Your First Website in 1 Week is a 4-hour journey through the basics of HTML and CSS.

It's not a comprehensive course by any means, but it's a strong start to learning the fundamentals. Knowing HTML and CSS, even in a basic capacity, is half of the battle in web development, so you really shouldn't skip this one.

By the end, you'll have a functional website and enough knowledge to do things like edit WordPress themes.

Learn HTML & CSS (Free)

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Here's another great resource for learning the basics of HTML and CSS. It assumes that you have no previous experience with web development and provides a 4-hour walkthrough of various fundamentals.

I recommend taking this course after the one mentioned above because Learn HTML & CSS works better as a refresher course for solidifying previously learned concepts. You'll end with 3 websites, each made from scratch and building on the previous website's lessons.

Learn Bootstrap Development ($199)

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Once you have a comfortable grip on HTML and CSS, you'll want to start learning a few frontend frameworks that ease the process of starting a website from scratch. Several frameworks exist, but the most popular one by far is Bootstrap.

This 14-hour Learn Bootstrap Development course takes you through 10 different website projects -- including photo gallery, blog, ecommerce template, and even a mock-up social network -- to show you how to leverage the power of Bootstrap for rapid website creation.

The price is a bit prohibitive for hobbyists, but if you're serious about career in web development, this course will pay for itself in no time.

The Complete Web Developer Course ($199)

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If you're absolutely certain that you want to be a web developer but you aren't sure what path to take in terms of learning the numerous technologies available, then there's no better course for you than The Complete Web Developer Course.

At 29 hours long, no other course offers you this much content, and it's available for as little as $199, which is an incredible value.

It starts with basic HTML and CSS, then progresses to more advanced frontend topics like JavaScript, jQuery, and Bootstrap. Afterwards, it teaches backend components like PHP, MySQL, and API interaction, all of which are necessary for data-driven websites.

All told, you'll walk away with 14 complete websites and a huge boost in confidence.

Mobile Development

Android Development for Newbies (Free)

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Android Development for Newbies is aptly titled. Anyone who has wanted to dive into Android development but found it too overwhelming will benefit greatly from this course. Absolute beginners are all welcome here, though a basic understanding of Java will help a lot.

This free course, which offers a little less than 9 hours of awesome content, will teach you what's necessary to create your own Android apps and how to distribute them on the Play Store. Topics covered include event handling, interface design, notifications, and more.

The Complete iOS 8 and Swift Course ($199)

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Udemy has a lot of courses, both free and paid, that cover iOS app development. Some are outdated, some are too expensive for the value, and some just aren't that great. The Complete iOS 8 and Swift Course, on the other hand, blows all other courses out of the water.

No prior knowledge is required, but you will need a Mac or PC that's running OS X. Over the duration of this 23-hour course, you'll learn how to code apps using the new Swift programming language and how to distribute those apps successfully.

If you want to make a career out of iOS development, this is the course to take. It's accessible for newbies but comprehensive enough that veterans can benefit as well.

Game Development

Make a Unity 2D Physics Game (Free)

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Of all the free game development engines available today, few are as powerful and easy-to-learn as the Unity engine. It's one of the most popular choices for indie developers, which is why you should take this course.

As it promises, this course will teach you to Make a Unity 2D Physics Game. At 1-hour long, it's relatively short compared to the other courses on this list, but it's a great resource for getting acquainted with the 2D side of Unity and its physics engine.

By the end, you'll have a working demo that can be extended into an actual game with a bit of effort and love.

Complete Unity 5 Developer ($197)

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For a comprehensive introduction to the Unity engine, you'll want to take this Complete Unity 5 Developer course, which is up-to-date with the latest version of Unity. It's pricey but worth it for the 45 hours of content within.

It's meant for people who have no experience at all. Throughout, you'll learn the basics of C#, how it integrates with Unity, how to create game entities that interact, and how to leverage Unity's UI system.

The course results in 7 different games that can be played on the web or on mobile devices, the final project being a sufficient Plants vs. Zombies clone.

The Complete iOS Game Course ($300)

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The iOS game market is huge right now, and the right game released at the right time can pull in a boatload of revenue. Want to get in on that? Then enroll in The Complete iOS Game Course.

This 31-hour course provides step-by-step instructions on learning how to build a game using Objective C and SpriteKit. Previous programming experience isn't necessary but can help ease the learning curve.

Seriously, this course is comprehensive. It covers gameplay implementation, of course, but also goes in depth with not-as-interesting but just-as-important aspects like menu creation, level selection, scene transitions, asset management, physics, and more.

The course covers 8 different applications, culminating in a full-featured Flappy Bird clone. It's absolutely worth the hefty price tag.

Final Bits of Advice

As a newbie programmer, you're going to feel overwhelmed. If you aren't already, you'll feel it soon -- and once you get over that initial trepidation, keep alert because it's going to return. Programming is hard, so don't expect it to be easy or quick.

That being said, we have tips for how to learn programming without the stress and we recommend you take those tips to heart. Similarly, if you're feeling discouraged or beaten, consult our tips for overcoming programming burnout.

Lastly, keep yourself well-rounded with these Udemy courses for self-improvement. Programming is great, but nothing beats personal growth and keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

Did you find these courses helpful? Which Udemy courses would you recommend for programming? Got any tips for a newbie coder? Share with us in the comments below!