So far, you have learned what JavaFX is and seen its power. You have managed to download and install both Java 8 JDK and NetBeans IDE. After successfully installing the prerequisite software, you created a JavaFX Hello World GUI application through the NetBeans IDE. After learning how to compile and run a JavaFX application, you did a quick code walkthrough of the source file HelloJavaFX.java.

Next, in Chapter 2, JavaFX 8 Essentials and Creating a custom you'll learn about JavaFX 8 architecture components and engines, which allow JavaFX applications to run efficiently and smoothly under the hood. You will also learn about the most common layout UI components and get an idea about theming your application as a whole or as individual scene nodes.

We will also be covering Java SE 8's most important feature, Lambda expressions, and how it works. We will then get insights into Scene Builder as a declarative UI and productive tool, then learn about generated FXML-based markup document and how to import it into NetBeans IDE to continue your application logic implementation to associate it to the already declared UI controls inside your FXML document.

Finally, you will be able to create a custom UI component that isn't bundled with default JavaFX 8 UI controls.