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The Top Programming Languages Used For Blockchain Development

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The Top Programming Languages Used For Blockchain Development
The Top 7 Programming Languages Used For Blockchain Development

The hype surrounding blockchain technology is practically unavoidable these days — and whether you’re fully on board with the ethos of decentralized software or remain skeptical about Web3, you might be wondering what sort of tech skills and programming languages will be valuable in the new “Wild West” of the internet.

The good news is lots of coding languages that you already know can be used in blockchain development (more on that later). And even the newer languages that are specific to smart contracts, the essential building blocks of the programmable blockchain, are relatively easy to pick up if you have some basic coding knowledge.

But before you start learning a language, you should do a little research and decide which blockchain platform interests you the most, says Kenny Rogers, Developer Advocate at the Stacks Foundation. “There are tons of them right now, which is kind of overwhelming,” Kenny says. “And they all claim to be doing different things the best way.”

For example, maybe your Twitter feed is full of Ethereum news, or you keep seeing job listings for Web3 developers who know Solana. Once you narrow down which blockchain platform to focus on, you can dig in and see the specific programming languages they use.

In our free course Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto, built in partnership with the Stacks Foundation, you’ll learn about different chains and their practical use cases, and walk away with an objective, high-level understanding of blockchain development. Here are the programming languages that are used the most in blockchain development, and what you need to know about each of them.

Solidity

Solidity is the most commonly used language for writing and deploying smart contracts on the Ethereum chain. It’s a statically typed curly-braces programming language that has familiar features that you might recognize from other languages.

“Solidity looks rather high-level but is still very close to the [Ethereum Virtual Machine],” Christian Reitwiessner, creator of Solidity, said in a 2020 interview. “At the same time, people with some background in programming usually understand what Solidity code is about.”

Solidity’s main influences are JavaScript, C++, and Python. If you have a solid (sorry) understanding of those languages, then picking up Solidity is relatively easy. Check out our course catalog for courses on JavaScript, C++, and Python (as well as our new Intro to Blockchain course).  

C++

Known for its speed and efficiency, C++ is a powerful object-oriented programming language that frequently comes up in Web3. (Fun fact: Bitcoin was written in C++, which C++ creator Bjarne Stroustrup was not thrilled about.) C++ can be used for smart contract development on the EOS blockchain.

Of course, there are many other reasons to learn C++ that aren’t directly related to the blockchain. C++ is a general-purpose language that can reliably run large software infrastructure and applications on few resources, making it the go-to for performance-critical applications. C++ is used for everything from gaming to financial software to AR/VR applications.

Learn one of the world’s most widely used programming languages with our beginner-friendly course Learn C++. If you’re already familiar with the fundamentals of coding, or need a C++ syntax refresher, check out our C++ for Programmers course.

Rust

Rust is consistently ranked the most-loved programming language in Stack Overflow’s developer survey, with 87% of devs saying they want to keep using it. One reason why Rust is beloved is because it’s type- and memory-safe, and those safety features are why it’s preferred for blockchain development. Rust is used to build smart contracts on chains like Solana and NEAR.

“If you know Rust, depending on the blockchain that you choose to work in, you can very likely meaningfully contribute both to the blockchain work itself and also smart contract development,” Kenny says. Want to learn Rust? Keep an eye out for our new course Rust for Programmers, launching soon.

JavaScript

Good news for JavaScript fans: “For both Web3 and Web 2.0, JavaScript is the number one thing to learn if you don’t know it already,” Kenny says. If you initially learned JavaScript to build websites and apps, that knowledge can still serve you in the Web3 and blockchain space. (And if you haven’t dabbled with JavaScript yet, we have lots of JavaScript courses at every level for you to explore.)

Let’s say you’re a Front-End Engineer who builds an app with JavaScript. You can make your application interact with existing smart contracts or the blockchain itself without needing to learn another language from scratch. NEAR, for example, is a popular protocol that’s set up so developers can write smart contracts right in JavaScript or Rust, Kenny says. “You can get really far just with JavaScript, and then kind of branch into those other languages depending on what your goals are and what chain you want to work in,” he says.

Clarity

This newer smart contract language is specific to the Stacks blockchain and has a few distinctive features and guardrails that make it especially secure.

For starters, Clarity is decidable, which means there’s a finite number of steps for every input and you know where the code will terminate. Clarity doesn’t permit looping, and it’s purposefully “Turing incomplete,” so you can be certain that a program execution will end at some point, eliminating the risk of a halting problem — a valuable property to have in an immutable, globally-distributed system. The language also prohibits reentrancy, which is when one smart contract calls into another and then calls back into the first contract — a situation that can expose contracts to attacks.

Another reason why you should consider checking out Clarity? Kenny says there’s a hiring demand for Developers who know Clarity. “We’re at this weird point where there are not a lot of Clarity developers, so there’s kind of a shortage right now,” he says.

Go

Google’s statically-typed open-source language Go (or “Golang”) is often used for back-end development and creating high-performance applications. ​​Geth, short for “Go-Ethereum,” is an Ethereum client that’s written in Go.

Compared to other languages, Go is fast and lean, and allows you to multitask running multiple processes without sacrificing memory resources. With Go, you can build applications from its robust library of functions and packages. Our course Learn Go is a beginner-friendly introduction to Google’s programming language, and will have you setting up a Go environment and creating a Go file right away.

Python

Lots of people are fans of Python’s English-like syntax and cross-platform versatility, and the general-purpose language can also be used for blockchain development. If you’ve never picked up Python before, we have lots of beginner-friendly Python courses to choose from, no matter what your goals are.

Ready to give blockchain development a chance? Try our free course Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto for a language-agnostic overview of the world of crypto and its underlying technology, built in partnership with Stacks Foundation.

C++ Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

C++ is a very popular language for performance-critical applications that rely on speed and efficient memory management. It’s used in a wide range of industries including software and game development, VR, robotics, and scientific computing.

How Much Does A Blockchain Developer Make?

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How Much Does A Blockchain Developer Make?

Although blockchain technology is most often associated with banking and finance, it’s used in a huge range of industries, from automotive to health care to gas and oil. This increase in the adoption of blockchain technology has put Blockchain Developers in high demand in the job market today.

As skilled programmers and cryptographers, Blockchain Developers create innovative solutions to challenging problems; and they’re generally some of the highest-paid programmers out there. But these salaries vary by location, experience, education, and skillset. Here’s a closer look at what impacts a Blockchain Developer’s salary.

What determines a Blockchain Developer’s salary?

The average annual salary for a Blockchain Developer in the United States is $129,424 per year, according to data from ZipRecruiter. But experienced Blockchain Developers in some areas of the country are making close to $200,000, and 22% of those polled reported a salary falling within the range of $119,500 to $135,499. So what’s influencing this range?

Location

The rise of remote work has decreased the impact that your geographic location has on your salary. This is good news for anyone who wants to live in a different state — or even a different country — than where their employer is located. And as a Blockchain Developer, you can essentially work from anywhere with an internet connection, as long as you meet any workplace requirements your employer has in place.

Although the impact is smaller than it once was, factors like the cost of living and competition in the area still affect salaries. For example, according to ZipRecruiter, a Blockchain Developer in New York earns an average salary of $141,473 per year, one in California earns $136,052 per year, and one in Arizona earns $125,870.

Education

While some employers require at least a Bachelor’s Degree for Blockchain Developers, you’ll also see job postings without an education requirement. This is in part due to tech companies moving away from degree requirements, and it’s also because you can gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a successful Blockchain Developer in ways other than a formal degree.

You can learn specific blockchain skills through professional development training, like taking online courses. And you can leverage those skills when you’re negotiating your salary. If you’re new to the workforce, an internship is another opportunity where you can learn on-the-job skills before applying to a full-time position.

But since formal degrees still hold weight in the job market, having one can give you a competitive advantage during the job-hunting process and while you’re negotiating your salary (at least for your first job). Degrees that are most relevant to blockchain development include computer science and information technology, and other related disciplines, like data science and math, can also prepare you for work in this field.

While there are specific degrees in blockchain development, this is a relatively new area for universities and colleges across the U.S. You’re more likely to see specific courses on topics, like blockchain ethics and cryptocurrencies, as well as developer boot camps, offered to students.

Experience

The amount of time you’ve been working in your field is one of the biggest factors that will affect your earning potential, especially when you’ve been working in the field for a long period of time. In most cases, the more years of experience you have, the higher your salary will be.

Based on data from Glassdoor, entry-level developers, those with 1-3 years of experience, earn an average salary of $96,676. Mid-level developers with 4-9 years of experience fall within the range of $104,799-$110,114. And senior developers who have 10 or more years of experience earn salaries of $115,000 and above. Keep in mind that senior developers may be working in management positions and overseeing and directing junior and mid-level developers on multiple projects.

If you’re applying for entry-level positions and looking for ways to add experience to your resume, an internship is a great place to start. You’ll gain real-world experience while learning both hard and soft skills, and it’s something you’ll be able to highlight during the interview process.

Technology

Beyond your college degree and/or nontraditional education, keeping up with the ever-evolving technology in blockchain can help you boost your salary.

Programmers need to continually invest in learning skills that will help them perform their job and stay competitive in the job market when searching for a new role. This might look like taking a course to learn a new programming language or tool, attending a relevant conference, or even just staying up-to-date on the industry via Twitter.

Specialty

As a Blockchain Developer, you can choose a specialty within your field to focus on, and having a specific expertise can oftentimes position you to negotiate a higher salary. Some specialties that Blockchain Developers can focus on include data structures, blockchain architecture, cryptography, web development, and smart contract development.

How to start your Blockchain Developer career

If you’re thinking about becoming a Blockchain Developer, your first step is to learn about how blockchain technology works and how it’s being used — which we cover in our Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto course.

Then you’ll want to get familiar with the programming languages used for blockchain development, including:

Other skills you’re likely to see listed on job descriptions are Node.js, React.js, and experience in DevOps environments, and our courses Learn Node.js, Learn React, and Introduction to DevOps cover these topics in depth.

Once you’re ready to start applying for jobs and interviewing, you can find advice on resume writing, portfolio creation, and interview prep at our Career Center.


[Beta] Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto | Codecademy

Codecademy is the easiest way to learn how to code. It’s interactive, fun, and you can do it with your friends.

Developing reading skills in students through graphic organizers

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Developing reading skills in students through graphic organizers

Introduction.General understanding of texts is an important skill. Students with special educational needs (SEN) often struggle and have difficulties with reading comprehension. Graphic organizers, mainly frames or diagrams, help them visualize and understand concepts more effectively. So, they are excellent tools that can be used to enhance the students’ ability to organize information from a text and access deeper meaning (Adler 2015). I also use them to help my students identify the main idea, the plot structure and develop their critical thinking. English Literature is a part of Israeli final exams and such tools prevent SEN students from misunderstanding stories and poems, getting bored, and giving up.Strategies for improving reading comprehension. “Reading comprehension is the mental process the reader goes through to understand the content of a reading text” (Suyitno 2017). It can be achieved due to all the necessary activities done before, while, and after reading. As individuals read, first of all, they use their prior knowledge along with clues from the text to construct meaning. This means that they have purposes for their reading and adjust it to each reading task. Strategic readers are those who are “good at monitoring their comprehension, know when they understand, what they read and when they do not” (Adler 2015). I. Suyitno indicates that reading strategies (RS) include selecting, predicting, confirming, and validating the results of the understanding.  Therefore, in SEN classes teachers should devote more time to pre-reading tasks and elicit as much information from students as possible. In their turn, students can share their personal or other people’s experience that is connected to the topic of the poem or story. It can be done in pairs or small groups with the help of diagrams or frames.  The main reason for applying RS is to enhance students’ achievement.  Moreover, we teach SEN students to use RS to help them:• develop a positive attitude towards reading• understand the meaning of a text• explore and understand the genre• be able to apply critical thinking   According to McEwan, “cognitive strategies are defined in various ways. They are sometimes called mental tools”. They can also be described as “behaviors and thoughts”. In SEN classes behaviors include such actions as working with graphic organizers prepared for the following activities:• pre-reading notetaking• generating keywords• understanding chronological order of the story• identifying similarities and differences of the characters• making a summary of the story• giving a presentation as a post-reading activity Thoughts include cognitive processes such as explaining the actions of the main characters, the key events and the climax of the story, and all the possible endings. Students with severe dyslexia and/or dysgraphia do not have to write a lot. They can complete the diagrams offered by teachers or prepare their own ones and give presentations. Teaching critical thinking skills  According to the national program, critical thinking is compulsory for passing the final exam in English Literature. Remedial teachers should use graphic organizers and help students understand how higher order of thinking skills (HOTS) may be used to “examine and show relationships in a text” (Adler 2015).  Teaching HOTS not only enhances students’ ability to analyze literature but also enables them to answer reading comprehension questions and improves their language skills on all levels.  Within the framework of the Literature program, teachers are supposed to incorporate the following HOTS:• inferring• cause and effect• problem-solving• making connections• explaining patterns• distinguishing different perspectives Since in Israeli SEN schools each class contains up to eight students, that enables teachers to adopt such a complicated material to each learner successfully. I prepare diagrams for critical thinking exercises to show how the events in the story are connected.  They help SEN students develop their thought processes.  Conclusion Graphic organizers and diagrams are very helpful to SEN students. It is a great strategy, which provides a visual representation of information. Teachers can download them or prepare them with kids and use them for teaching poems, stories, and novels. With the help of graphic organizers students can understand the plot structure and analyze the texts critically, so they are also great tools to teach critical thinking. I also practice this activity to develop their speaking and listening skills. Many ESL textbooks with graphic organizers, approved by the Israeli Ministry of Education, are very popular in the local SEN schools.Bibliography.1. Adler, C. (2015). “Seven Strategies to Teach Students Text Comprehension”.
2. McEwan, E. 2004. “The power of strategic reading instruction” http://www.corwin.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/6863_mcewan_ch_1.pdf
3. Suite, I. 2017.  “Cognitive strategies use in reading comprehension and its contributions to students’ achievement” https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1162686.pdf
Julia Koifman was born in Ukraine. Graduated from Simferopol State University in 1995 and got an MA degree in TEFL. In 1999 she immigrated to Israel and got a TEFL certification at Shaanan College in Haifa in 2002. In 2006 she started teaching in Beit Ekshtein high school for SEN and in 2009 became an ENGLISH COORDINATOR in the same school where she still works. Published some articles about overcoming dyslexia and other SEN.      Koifman is a member of IATEFL, TESOL, and ETAI organizations and a regular presenter at local and international conferences. In 2018, she won a scholarship for participation in the IATEFL conference in Brighton, UK.

Author : Julia Koifman
Degree :
Major : Special Needs and Inclusive Education
Country : United States
Language : English

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Is Anger an Underrated Emotion?

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What have you been taught about anger? Do you think we view this feeling too negatively?

Lesson Plan: The Migrant Busing Crisis

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In this lesson, students will learn how Republican governors are sending migrants to Democratic cities and towns to protest the high number of arrivals at the southern border.

European Day of Languages

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European Day of Languages

Language is a structured form of communication that uses words and expressions by a group of people in a particular region or country. Language is a vital part of society and connecting with others. Through language, we can share our thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others. Learning a new language is a great way to build relationships and connections in the global world. For the 700 million Europeans that make up the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, it’s encouraged. This European Day of Languages (26 September), the Council reminds us that “linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent.”

Fun Facts About European Languages

No one knows where language comes from, but it is essential to how society functions. In Europe, Russia is the most spoken language, with 120 million native speakers. German follows at second place with 95 million speakers. It’s also the official language of three countries, (Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein). It’s also the secondary language to three, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Here are some other interesting language facts to this fascinating construct:

  • The U.N has six official languages, and all documents are published in all these.
  • For 600 years, French was the UK’s official language.
  • More than 7000 languages are spoken globally
  • A new word is created every 98-minutes and there are over 200 languages that are now extinct.
  • Half of the global population is bilingual.
  • The origin of Spain’s Basque language is unknown although it’s spoken by around 700 00 people. It’s not related to any other language.

Benefits of Learning a New Language

We live in a globalised world. On any given day, we can communicate with individuals from different countries through social media, our travels, or at work. Learning a new language is a great benefit to help bridge the possible communication gaps.

  • Improved career prospects. Employers consider this a valuable skill. You increase your chances of promotion, working at an international office, breaking into new markets and industries, and communicating with customers and clients. Being bilingual, or trilingual, is a great addition to your resume.
  • Makes you a better communicator. When you learn a new language you not only understand a new language, but you also become better at understanding your own. You find yourself using more words and enlarging your vocabulary. This bolsters your creativity as your mind is stretched to the “new”.
  • Improves memory. The more you use your brain, the better it functions. Learning a new language gives your brain a good workout and helps you with recalling facts, figures, and more.
  • Makes you better at multitasking. When you learn a new language, you teach your brain to slip between languages as you translate and practice what you learn. This places extra demand on the brain and this switch slips into other daily functions that need multitasking.

Cultural appreciation. Learning a new language means learning about a new culture. This makes you more open, tolerant and a wider outlook on life. You soon realise that your way is not the only way, and you appreciate differences in everyone you meet.

And of course, traveling to new destinations and not worrying about the language barrier when you land will be one less stress to think about. You can begin your journey with some of our incredible free courses in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.

Creative Ways to Practice Speaking a New Language

Learning a new language is not easy. There are a myriad of tools at your disposal that you can use to master a new language. Classroom learning is fun but being out and about and is a great way to practise what you’ve learned in other settings.

  • Watch a movie. Put on a film in the language you’re learning – without subtitles (if you want to challenge yourself). Track how well you can follow the movie. And if you hear new and interesting words, look them up and add them to your vocab bundle.
  • Join a club. There are many people also learning the same language as you are. Search out one of these and meet up with the group to practice the new language in an informal setting.
  • Read. Find easy-to-read books in the language you’re learning and assess how much of the book you understand. As you improve, buy more challenging books, magazines, and newspapers.
  • Speak the language. Find someone who speaks the language and ask them to help you practice. There isn’t a better way to learn a language than to speak it. Your confidence will grow as your pronunciation, enunciation and skills improve.
  • Board games/flash cards. These techniques sound simple, and they are. But they are also very helpful and a fun way to learn.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the language you’re learning. Language and culture and interlinking. The nuances, expressions, and traditions will enrich your understanding of the language. This also helps you learn the history associated with the words and will prevent you from saying the “wrong” thing.

“The European Day of Languages is a celebration of the rich tapestry of languages which make our continent so special. Linguistic diversity is our cultural heritage. It helps us appreciate difference and helps us understand that diversity is our strength. Let us value all languages in Europe”, Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Visit our Language Hub and discover all the courses you can enrol for. We’ll have you saying ‘bonjour’, ‘ciao’, ‘hej’, or ‘olá’ and more in no time.

Respectful Parenting vs Overparenting

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Respectful Parenting vs Overparenting

Where are the lines between being overprotective parents

or dedicated caregivers?

 

Nowadays, people talk about a crystal generation, and strong comparisons are constantly being made about past generations and the way children are being raised today.

 

The truth is that although there is greater concern about the emotional stability of children and how parenting can affect their adult life, perhaps this excess of care can generate other types of problems in them, being more sensitive to the normal turns of life.

Where is that gray line between being an overprotective parent or a caring parent?

 

Today the concerns of parents are far from the concerns that parents could have in the 80s and 90s. Caregivers understand the needs of their children and provide them with a fuller, more stable, and happier life. It’s true that there are certain concerns that haunt the heads of parents, who worry about raising their children:

 

 

According to the article: “Are You Overparenting? A child psychologist says these are the telltale signs” Posted on cnbc.com, these are the signs that she may be overprotective of her child, emerging autonomy from her.

“Overparenting can be defined in two ways, according to clinical psychologist Judith Locke.

The first being where parents can, with good intentions, end up over-assisting their child with tasks, such as homework. However, this can result in the child struggling to develop essential skills, Locke explained to CNBC on a video call.

The second interpretation of this, are those parents who are “extremely responsive,” said Locke. Responsiveness refers to the level of love, care, affection, and praise a parent gives to a child.

Locke explained that “extreme responsiveness is not just having a good relationship with the child through special quality time and things like that, but actually describing a child as your best friend, praising them so much that they don’t get used to any constructive criticism, or they are needing that regular reassurance of praise”.

 

Locke is the author of “The Bonsai Child,” which uses the analogy of this type of tree to describe how raising a child in an overprotected environment makes them less adaptable to the real world.

 

These attitudes, far from helping the child, affect their social life, their self-concept and the relationship they have with the outside world; creating constant feelings of insecurity. The best way to deal with parenthood is always to find a way to accompany the child in the right measure, leaving him alone to face the challenges of life, with a responsible company from his caregivers.

 

 

Parenting is a very important issue, since we are training the generations of tomorrow, who will be in charge of taking care of the world and humanity, raising them safely and responsibly is everyone’s job. If you are interested in learning more about the subject, we recommend the following bibliography:

What’s Going On in This Picture? | Sept. 26, 2022

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Look closely at this image, stripped of its caption, and join the moderated conversation about what you and other students see.

Word of the Day: phalanx

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This word has appeared in 55 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

What does it take to succeed in a Data Science Program?

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What does it take to succeed in a Data Science Program?

Meet Anne! She’s the Senior Instructor and Associate Chair at the University of Colorado, Department of Applied Mathematics, and has been an educator since 1984. This semester, she’s teaching a Foundation for Data Science course on Coursera and was kind enough to offer four tips to learners interested in the field of Data Science.  

Self-motivation

Anytime you’re learning online, you need to be self-motivated. You have to really want to spend the time on the material. It helps if you have an end goal in mind – a specific type of job – or you want to move into a new field. 

Knowledge of Mathematics 

This material can be challenging, but we’ll work with you and we try to help you get to that Aha! moment where you start to see how the various topics that we’re covering are connected. At the most fundamental level, the language is mathematics. If you understand that language, then you’re able to create all sorts of stories in whatever field you’re interested in. That applies to every technical discipline. Data science is not an impossible field, but it does require a good understanding of mathematics and a willingness to learn new material. So you really need to be successful from a mathematical standpoint. You need to have a good understanding of calculus One and Two and some linear algebra, even in the introductory courses in the statistics and data science track. 

Determination

As a student in a program like this, you have to find a way to balance life, work, and school. Learners have had family issues come up, and we’ve made accommodations for them. With Coursera, we’re able to offer you flexibility that you won’t find at a traditional institution. That’s what allows you to receive an education while managing work and family. In the long run, your success will result in an increase in self-confidence and self-worth, and you’ll gain new skills that you can apply in your current job, or to move to a different job. 

Self-awareness

I always tell students that you need to follow your interests. Be interested in the area. You shouldn’t do it because you think it’ll get you a better job. That’s an excellent byproduct, but if you’re not truly interested in the material, I think it’s really hard to make that long term commitment to go through this program. If you really like the material and you’re curious about it however, I think it’s a great program at an absolutely top notch university, and can really help set you up for success down the road. 

Thanks so much, Anne!

We hope you enjoyed hearing from Anne as much as we did. If you’re interested in learning data skills and possibly earning a credential, check out the Probability Theory: Foundation for Data Science course – part of the Data Science Foundations specialization available on Coursera. You’ll learn the foundations of probability and its relationship to statistics and data science from leading industry professionals like Anne.