Introducing the Learn to Code Starter Pack

I left Facebook in 2015 to found Educative with my brother Naeem. Our goal was to create world-class tech skills courses for developers like us. As more learners of all skill levels joined Educative, we kept hearing the same question: what’s the best place to start for beginners? So, we set out to create a special package to teach programming basics — in a way that is structured, hands-on, and affordable.

Today I am excited to introduce the Learn to Code Starter Pack.

What is Learn to Code Starter Pack?#

The Learn to Code Starter Pack gets you hands-on with the core logic, problem solving, and computer science skills that you would learn in a bootcamp or university program — at a fraction of the cost. Best of all, you can learn online at your own pace.

The Starter Pack is a great fit for total beginners (zero coding experience required). It’s also ideal for people hoping to solidify the basics of any programming language.

The content included in the Starter Pack was hand-selected by educators with decades of experience teaching people to code. Their objective is to make it easy, intuitive, and rewarding to get started.

Essentially, we want to get you thinking like a coder — before you even type your first lines of code. You will do this by practicing and learning how to apply the logic and problem solving skills you already have.

These basics are core to every developer’s toolkit but get overlooked by most learning platforms. Developing foundational problem solving skills as the first thing you do will pay dividends down the road. It’s a basis that will enable you to learn any programming language and kick off a successful career in tech.

In fact, it’s exactly how I would learn to code if I were just starting out.

What’s Included in the Learn to Code Starter Pack?#

There are 50+ beginner courses, guided learning paths, and real-world projects included in the Learn to Code Starter Pack.

The Starter Pack covers the industry’s most in-demand programming languages and technologies. More importantly, it was designed to teach the core computer science fundamentals that underpin every language.

The Learn to Code Starter Pack includes 50+ popular resources

• Computer Science Bootcamp

  • Comprehensive learning path designed to take learners from the basics of computing to building real-world projects

• Courses on top programming languages, including:

  • Python

  • JavaScript

  • SQL

  • C++

  • Java

  • Ruby

• Structured learning paths for in-demand career specializations, including:

  • Front-end Web Development

  • Back-end Web Development

  • Full-stack Web Development

  • Machine Learning

  • Data Science

• Tech career resources

  • Data Structures & Algorithms courses for coding interviews and beyond

  • Training on everyday developer tools, including Git

  • 8 full-featured projects to practice your skills and build your portfolio

Our approach is to distill a computer science 101 curriculum or coding bootcamp down into a digestible package of hands-on courses and projects.

Through the Starter Pack, you will get hands-on with the fundamentals you’ll need for a successful tech career. (Everything is hosted on Educative’s interactive, setup-free learning platform for ease and accessibility).

These are the building blocks that will prepare you for a successful career in tech.

How does this maps to real roles?#

• Front-end starter: HTML/CSS + JS basics → React/Vue later.

• Back-end starter: Python/JavaScript + SQL + APIs.

• Full-stack starter: front-end + back-end + Git flows + deploy.

• Data starter: Python + SQL + data wrangling; add pandas/NumPy later.

The point of the Learn to Code Starter Pack is to give you portable fundamentals that make any next step faster—bootcamp, degree, or job-ready specialization.

12-week Learn to Code Roadmap#

To remove guesswork, here’s a 12-week plan many beginners follow. Adjust the pace to your schedule; each “week” assumes ~6–8 hours.

Weeks 1–2: Programming basics & mental models#

• Logic, variables, control flow, functions (Python track is default).

• Small wins: build a number guesser and a unit converter.

• Milestone: explain what a variable and a loop do—in your own words.

Weeks 3–4: Data structures & problem solving#

• Lists, dictionaries/maps, stacks/queues; algorithmic thinking.

• Small wins: two-sum, valid parentheses, word frequency.

• Milestone: solve three beginner DSA problems without hints.

Weeks 5–6: Web fundamentals#

• HTML/CSS basics → responsive layout, accessibility basics.

• JavaScript intro → DOM events, fetch, async basics.

• Project: personal landing page + interactive to-do app.

Weeks 7–8: Databases & APIs#

• SQL basics (SELECT/INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE, joins).

• Build a tiny REST API or use a public API (weather, movies).

• Project: API-powered dashboard (search + filters + favorites).

Weeks 9–10: Version control & teamwork#

• Git/GitHub workflow: branching, PRs, code reviews.

• Add README, issues, and basic CI to a repo.

• Milestone: open your first pull request (even on your own repo).

Weeks 11–12: Portfolio polish & interview basics#

• Refactor, add tests, deploy (e.g., to Netlify/Render).

• Write a 1-page project case study (problem, tech stack, lessons).

• Stretch: practice 5 common DSA patterns (two pointers, sliding window, hashing, BFS/DFS, sorting + binary search).

By the end, the Learn to Code Starter Pack leaves you with a portfolio of 3–4 projects, a GitHub trail, and confidence with core CS ideas.

Portfolio checklist #

Use this quick rubric on each project:

• README with a 1-minute demo GIF and instructions to run.

• Clear problem statement and “why this matters.”

• Tech stack + 3–5 bullet points on what you learned.

• Screenshots (desktop & mobile if it’s web).

• Deployed link (or a short Loom/YouTube demo if local).

• Next steps: one bug / one feature you’d add with more time

Milestones & self-assessments#

Every 2 weeks, ask:

1. Can I explain what I built? (Teach it to a friend in 3 minutes.)

2. Can I fix a bug I didn’t plan for? (Change an input, add a constraint.)

3. Am I committing code regularly? (Even 20–30 minutes/day counts.)

4. Have I finished at least one small project? (Done beats perfect.)

Inside the learn to code starter pack, you’ll also see quizzes and playgrounds for quick checks, plus DSA practice to sharpen problem solving.

Why "Learn to Code Starter Pack"?#

Imagine acquiring the foundational knowledge of a university degree or the intensity of a bootcamp without the hefty price tag. With our 'Learn to Code Starter Pack,' you can do exactly that. Our ‘Learn to Code Starter Pack includes everything that a beginner needs to start their coding journey in such a competitive world. 

• Holistic Approach: Unlike many courses, our starter pack does not limit learners to one language or framework. As a beginner, you need to explore different languages, and to land at a good job, you need to have expertise in multiple languages. Our starter pack is curated to give beginners a panoramic view of the coding world. It's not just about learning to code; it's about understanding the vast technology ecosystem.

• Structured Learning: The internet is flooded with disjointed tutorials and resources. Our pack offers a coherent, step-by-step pathway, eliminating the confusion of where to start or what to learn next.

• Interactive Learning: Instead of passive video lectures, our pack emphasizes active learning. Through hands-on coding exercises, real-world projects, and instant feedback, students don't just learn; they experience coding.

"I prefer Educative courses because they have a nice mix of text & images. I find that with full video courses, it can often be too easy to go into passive learning mode."

Clifford Fajardo

Senior Software Engineer

Who this is for (and what you need before you start)#

If you’re totally new, great—the Learn to Code Starter Pack assumes no prior coding. You’ll get farther faster, though, if you bring:

• Time: 5–8 hours/week (10–12 if you want the accelerated track).

• Device: Any modern laptop (8 GB RAM+ recommended).

• Mindset: Curiosity, patience, and a willingness to practice in small daily bursts.

No local setup is required—the learn to code starter pack runs in an in-browser editor, so you can code on day one.

Community & support (you’re not doing this alone)#

Learning sticks when you have people around you. With the Learn to Code Starter Pack, you can:

• Join discussion threads on each lesson to ask “stuck” questions.

• Compare approaches: see alternative solutions and complexity notes.

• Get feedback prompts: each project module suggests what to request from peers (UX, readability, edge cases).

• Follow an accountability ritual: post weekly progress (what I built, what I learned, what’s next).

Tiny, consistent check-ins beat marathon study sessions every time.

Start Learning to Code Today#

At the end of the day, learning to code is a lot like learning how to swim. You have to jump in the pool and just start doing it. We designed the Learn to Code Starter Pack as a great way to get your feet wet, but in a safe and structured way.

Don’t worry — we won’t throw you into the deep end just yet.

You will receive the guidance and support you need to develop the fundamentals at a pace that works for you. These courses, paths, and projects are easy to follow and intuitive to grasp. The Learn to Code Starter Pack was hand-picked to set you up for long-term success as you embark upon your learning journey.

If I had to do it all over again, I would start here. I am curious to hear what you think.

Happy learning!