Add Windows MSI packaging support

Update the ant build script (build.xml) and the GitHub build action (.github/workflows/build.yaml).
Construct and add appropriate Windows icon file (icon.ico).
Add explanation and instructions to readme file (README.md).

Author: jody

.github/workflows/build.yaml

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        os: [macos-latest, ubuntu-latest]
+        os: [macos-latest, ubuntu-latest, windows-latest]
 
     steps:
     - name: Checkout Code
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ jobs:
           files: |
             artifacts/*.dmg
             artifacts/*.deb
+            artifacts/*.msi
           body: "Automatic build of ${{ github.ref_name }}"
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

README.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # NativeJavaApp
 Scaffold for creating double-clickable apps using Java
 
-This project uses Apache Ant and JDK 25 to compile, bundle, and package a Java application into native installers (.dmg for macOS and .deb for Ubuntu).
+This project uses Apache Ant and JDK 25 to compile, bundle, and package a Java application into native installers (.dmg for macOS, .deb for Ubuntu, and .msi for Windows).
 
 ## Common Requirements (All Systems)
 Before running the build, ensure the following are installed and configured:
@@ -27,6 +27,16 @@ sudo apt install ant fakeroot dpkg-dev
 - fakeroot: Allows the package to be built with correct file permissions without requiring root access.
 - dpkg-dev: Provides the core utilities to create Debian packages.
 - Icon Asset: A file named icon.png (512x512 recommended) must be in the project root.
+## Windows Setup
+To build the .msi installer on Windows, ensure the following:
+- JDK 21 or 25: Must be installed with JAVA_HOME configured.
+- Apache Ant: Installed and available in your PATH.
+- WiX Toolset: Required by jpackage to create MSI installers.
+  - Download and install from: https://wixtoolset.org/releases/
+  - Version 3.11 or higher is recommended.
+  - After installation, verify WiX is in your PATH by running: `candle -?`
+- Icon Asset: A file named icon.ico must be in the project root.
+- Note on Security: Windows may show a SmartScreen warning for unsigned installers. Users will need to click "More info" > "Run anyway" to install the app.
 ## Project Directory Structure
 Ensure your project looks like this for the build.xml to find all resources:
 
@@ -36,6 +46,7 @@ MyAppName/
 │   └── Main.java       # Your source code
 ├── icon.icns           # Required for macOS DMG
 ├── icon.png            # Required for Ubuntu DEB
+├── icon.ico            # Required for Windows MSI
 └── build.xml           # The Ant build script
 ```
 ## Usage Commands
@@ -44,7 +55,7 @@ Open your terminal in the project root and use the following targets:
 | Command |	Description |
 |-----|-----|
 | ant |	The default; runs the package target. |
-| ant package |	Automatically detects OS and builds .dmg (Mac) or .deb (Linux). |
+| ant package |	Automatically detects OS and builds .dmg (Mac), .deb (Linux), or .msi (Windows). |
 | ant run	| Compiles and launches the app immediately for testing. |
 | ant clean	| Deletes the build/ and dist/ folders to start fresh. |
 | ant -p	| Displays a help menu of all available targets. |
@@ -58,6 +69,10 @@ Open your terminal in the project root and use the following targets:
     <td>Linux Icon Error: </td>
     <td>If the Linux build fails, ensure icon.png is not just a renamed .icns or .jpg. It must be a valid PNG file.</td>
   </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>Windows "candle.exe not found": </td>
+    <td>Install WiX Toolset 3.11+ and ensure it's in your PATH. jpackage uses WiX to create MSI installers on Windows.</td>
+  </tr>
   <tr>
     <td>Permissions: </td>
     <td>If the generated .app or .deb won't execute, ensure you have the necessary write permissions in the dist/ directory.</td>
@@ -69,8 +84,8 @@ This project uses GitHub Actions to automatically build and distribute native in
 
 ### The Build Phase (Continuous Integration)
 Every time you push code to the main branch or open a Pull Request:
-- GitHub starts a macOS runner and an Ubuntu runner.
-- Both systems compile the code and create their respective installers (.dmg and .deb).
+- GitHub starts a macOS runner, an Ubuntu runner, and a Windows runner.
+- All systems compile the code and create their respective installers (.dmg, .deb, and .msi).
 - The installers are saved as Artifacts in the GitHub Actions run summary for 90 days.
 ### The Release Phase (Continuous Deployment)
 A formal GitHub Release is only triggered when you push a version tag.
@@ -92,6 +107,7 @@ git push origin v1.0.1
 - Under Assets, you will find:
   - MyAntApp-Installer.dmg (for macOS)
   - MyAntApp-Linux.deb (for Ubuntu/Debian)
+  - MyAntApp-Windows.msi (for Windows)
 
 ### Changing the Version Number
 When ready to bump the version, remember to update the version number in **two** places to keep everything in sync:

build.xml

@@ -33,9 +33,22 @@
     </and>
   </condition>
 
-  <condition property="icon.file" value="icon.icns" else="icon.png">
+  <condition property="isWindows">
+    <os family="windows"/>
+  </condition>
+
+  <condition property="icon.file" value="icon.icns">
     <isset property="isMac"/>
   </condition>
+  <condition property="icon.file" value="icon.ico">
+    <and>
+      <isset property="isWindows"/>
+      <not><isset property="icon.file"/></not>
+    </and>
+  </condition>
+  <condition property="icon.file" value="icon.png">
+    <not><isset property="icon.file"/></not>
+  </condition>
 
   <target name="preflight" description="Print toolchain/OS info">
     <echo message="Java: ${java.runtime.name} ${java.runtime.version}"/>
@@ -94,9 +107,10 @@
     </javadoc>
   </target>
 
-  <target name="package" description="Build the native installer for the current OS (DMG or DEB)">
+  <target name="package" description="Build the native installer for the current OS (DMG, DEB, or MSI)">
     <antcall target="dmg"/>
     <antcall target="debian"/>
+    <antcall target="windows"/>
   </target>
 
   <target name="dmg" depends="jar" if="isMac" description="[Mac Only] Builds the .dmg installer">
@@ -148,4 +162,29 @@
     <echo message="Success! Debian Package: ${dist.dir}/${app.name}-Linux.deb"/>
   </target>
 
+  <target name="windows" depends="jar" if="isWindows" description="[Windows Only] Builds the .msi installer">
+    <mkdir dir="${dist.dir}"/>
+    <exec executable="jpackage" failonerror="true">
+      <arg value="--input"/><arg value="${jar.dir}"/>
+      <arg value="--dest"/><arg value="${dist.dir}"/>
+      <arg value="--name"/><arg value="${app.name}"/>
+      <arg value="--main-jar"/><arg value="${app.name}.jar"/>
+      <arg value="--main-class"/><arg value="${main.class}"/>
+      <arg value="--type"/><arg value="msi"/>
+      <arg value="--icon"/><arg value="${icon.file}"/>
+      <arg value="--app-version"/><arg value="${app.version}"/>
+      <arg value="--win-dir-chooser"/>
+      <arg value="--win-shortcut"/>
+      <arg value="--win-menu"/>
+    </exec>
+    <move todir="${dist.dir}">
+      <fileset dir="${dist.dir}">
+        <include name="${app.name}*.msi"/>
+        <exclude name="${app.name}-Windows.msi"/>
+      </fileset>
+      <mapper type="merge" to="${app.name}-Windows.msi"/>
+    </move>
+    <echo message="Success! Windows Installer: ${dist.dir}/${app.name}-Windows.msi"/>
+  </target>
+
 </project>