The Modern JavaScript Tutorial
Ilya Kantor's long-running free JavaScript tutorial, in its original Russian edition: from variables to web components, with exercises after each chapter.
What it is
learn.javascript.ru is the original Russian edition of the Modern JavaScript Tutorial written by Ilya Kantor. The footer spans 2007–2026, and it is still maintained: when we checked, the homepage showed an update from September 25, 2026. The whole text is free and open source on GitHub, and the tutorial has been translated into more than a dozen languages, English included.
The material comes in three parts. Part one is the language itself: variables, functions, objects, prototypes, classes, promises, async/await and generators. Part two covers the browser: the DOM, events, forms and page loading. Part three is a set of standalone topics you can read in any order, such as web components, regular expressions, network requests and browser storage.
Why we picked it
Most coding tutorials go stale fast. This one keeps getting updated, and it reads like someone explaining things across a desk rather than a spec. Nearly every chapter ends with exercises and worked solutions, and the code examples run right on the page, so you can poke at them without setting anything up.
It also works for two very different readers. Beginners can go front to back, while experienced developers use it as a reference when they need to remember how closures or the event loop actually behave.
Where to start
- Note that this edition is in Russian; the same tutorial exists in English if you prefer.
- Begin with the JavaScript Fundamentals chapters in part one.
- Try the end-of-chapter tasks before peeking at the answers.
- If you already code, jump to the promises and async/await chapters.
- The regular expressions section in part three is useful even outside JavaScript.
Who it's for
Russian-speaking beginners getting into web development, designers who want to understand what the browser is doing, and developers who want a solid reference. Paid instructor-led courses are offered on the site, but the tutorial itself is complete without them.
Quick answers
Is it free? Yes, the full tutorial is free to read; only separate courses and EPUB/PDF versions cost money.
Do I need to install anything? No, the examples run in the browser.
Is it in English? This site is Russian; the tutorial has an English translation too.
