What is parallel programming?

Parallel programming is a concept in computing where a computer uses its resources to solve a problem. The computer breaks the problem down into multiple steps in order to process more information at a time. Parallel programming allows a computer to complete tasks quickly and more efficiently than if the computer solved one section of the problem at a time. Your laptop or desktop computer, smartphone, and tablet rely on parallel programming to process data quickly, allowing you to get better and faster performance from them.

Why is it important to learn parallel programming?

If you're programming computer software or an application, relying on parallel programming allows you to create an app that's more responsive for users. Games run more quickly and are more fun when parallel programming allows you to play them in real-time. Internet searches are more efficient and accurate when the device you're on uses parallel programming to perform the search. Video looks smoother, and audio sounds better on devices that use parallel programming. In short, parallel programming makes the apps and sites that you use every day perform their best.

What career opportunities can arise from learning parallel programming?

If you're interested in changing to a career in computer programming, you can apply for software engineering and computer architecture engineering positions in cutting-edge technological companies. Once you've learned parallel programming, you'll be able to develop apps and software programs that run faster and more smoothly. Many cloud applications rely on parallel programming, so you can look for positions with companies developing this rapidly growing sector of technology.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn parallel programming?

When you take online courses on Coursera in parallel programming, you'll learn from international experts from prestigious schools like École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and successful companies like Oracle Labs. Instructors from our partner organizations will give you a thorough grasp of the principles of parallel programming, as well as real-world applications. Once you've finished the course, you'll have confident knowledge that can lead you to a new, successful programming career. Best of all, you can learn at your own pace and on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

What are the benefits of taking an online Parallel Programming course?

Online Parallel Programming courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Parallel Programming skills. Choose from a wide range of Parallel Programming courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Parallel Programming courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Parallel Programming, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Parallel Programming Courses - Learn Parallel Programming Online

Explore the Parallel Programming Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Parallel programming
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Data Structures, Distributed Computing, Algorithms, Functional Design, Other Programming Languages, Java, Performance Tuning
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Parallel Programming in Java
Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Dataflow, Java, Distributed Computing, Programming Principles, Application Frameworks, Algorithms, Performance Tuning, Functional Design, Scalability, Computer Science
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Pearson
Java SE 17 Developer (1Z0-829): Unit 7
Skills you'll gain: Distributed Computing, Application Performance Management, Scalability
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
High-Performance and Parallel Computing
Skills you'll gain: Hardware Architecture, Bash (Scripting Language), Distributed Computing, Scalability, Performance Testing, Computer Systems, Computer Science, Big Data, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, File Systems, Cloud Development, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, C and C++, Linux, Programming Principles
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
143 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Parallel Programming with CUDA
Skills you'll gain: Performance Tuning, Data Structures, C and C++, Performance Testing, Distributed Computing, Computational Thinking, Data Access, Algorithms, Computer Hardware, Computer Architecture, Command-Line Interface, Data Storage, Program Development, Debugging
2.8
Rating, 2.8 out of 5 stars
57 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
GPU Programming
Skills you'll gain: Artificial Neural Networks, Image Analysis, Event-Driven Programming, Scalability, Deep Learning, Software Development, Machine Learning Methods, Performance Tuning, C and C++, System Programming, Linear Algebra, Computer Graphics, Distributed Computing, Computer Vision, Numerical Analysis, Programming Principles, Data Processing, Data Structures, Performance Testing, Machine Learning
Build toward a degree
2.8
Rating, 2.8 out of 5 stars
170 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Parallel, Concurrent, and Distributed Programming in Java
Skills you'll gain: Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, Distributed Computing, Java Programming, Dataflow, Java, Software Architecture, Systems Architecture, Data Structures, System Programming, Programming Principles, Servers, Application Frameworks, Algorithms, Performance Tuning, Network Protocols, Computer Science, Functional Design, Scalability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to High-Performance and Parallel Computing
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Scalability, Performance Testing, Distributed Computing, Computer Systems, Big Data, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, File Systems, Linux, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Programming Principles
Build toward a degree
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
143 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Computational Thinking with Beginning C Programming
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Data Collection, Simulations, Data Analysis, Microsoft Visual Studio, C (Programming Language), Statistical Analysis, Automation, Program Development, Data Structures, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Development Environment, Descriptive Statistics, Problem Management, File Management, Distributed Computing, Debugging, Data Storage
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
432 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Princeton University
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Java Programming, Java, Program Development, Computational Thinking, Computer Science, Algorithms, Animations, Debugging
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Approximation Algorithms and Linear Programming
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Linear Algebra, Combinatorics, Computational Thinking, Mathematical Modeling, Theoretical Computer Science, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
47 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Washington
Programming Languages, Part A
Skills you'll gain: Software Installation, Programming Principles, Other Programming Languages, Functional Design, Ruby (Programming Language), Software Design Patterns, Computational Thinking
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months