avaFX is a scripting language that provides built-in properties for manipulating objects within a 2D coordinate system. A competing technology to Microsoft’s Silverlight, JavaFX provides the tools to fill and pen stroke colors, and create special effects, shapes, and lines. It also allows you to manipulate images, play videos and sound, and define animations that affect objects over time.

For Essential JavaFX, authors Gail Anderson and Paul Anderson worked directly with the JavaFX team at Sun to produce a complete and authoritative guide for people new to JavaFX. “Chapter 2: A Taste of JavaFX” offers a taste of the language and some of its unique features.

Read an excerpt of “Chapter 2: A Taste of JavaFX” from Essential JavaFX.