The text discusses the process of building a desktop application using Gluon and Couchbase Lite, as an alternative to JavaFX for Java desktop applications. Gluon is highlighted for its support for Android and iOS, although the focus here is on desktop applications. The guide outlines the requirements for building a Gluon application, such as JDK 1.7+, IntelliJ IDEA, and Couchbase Sync Gateway for synchronization, even though the latter is not a strict requirement unless synchronization is needed. The process involves creating a Gluon project in IntelliJ, setting up a two-page application structure with Gradle, and designing a data layer using Couchbase Lite. The application includes a view for listing data and another for saving data, with instructions on managing navigation and data display using XML and Java code. The synchronization aspect is addressed by configuring Couchbase Sync Gateway and incorporating synchronization support into the application to enable bi-directional data sync. The text provides a comprehensive guide to developing a functional desktop application with Gluon and Couchbase Lite, emphasizing the ease of adding synchronization and the potential for expanding the application to Android platforms.