Currently I'm using a Windows batch file to build my software. It does things like running MSBuild, copying files, creating a ZIP file, running some tests, including the subversion revision number, etc.
But the problem is, batch files are evil. So I would like to change to something better. I was planning to recreate my build script in Python. Is that a smart choice? What about all those build systems, like Ant, SCons, Maven, Rake, etc. Would using any of those be a better choice?
Note: I'm not planning to replace my Visual Studio solution/project files. I only want to script everything else that's required to create a release of my software.
Edit: I have good reasons to move away from batch, that's not what my question is about. I would like to know (for example) what SCons gives me, over a normal Python script.
Python is very portable. SCons is field tested and reliable. Given what you know (from what you explained), why even ask the question?
If your maintaining something, its not just about getting it to build, its also about explaining to the user why it can NOT build, which saves you a ton of very frustrating questions while helping users to help themselves.
I can not think of a modern, production operating system that lacks Python, unless you get into the embedded / research arena.
So, I'm answering to say, you answered your own question :)
Is Python the right hammer for this nail? (build script)