title: How to write a build script for a C++ project
body: <p>I am developing a C++ application on Ubuntu. The application consists of several modules, each with its makefile.</p>
  
  <p>I want to have a customised command line build process that does the following:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>checks code out from a repository (for specified branch/tag)</li>
  <li>builds the app (release or debug as specified)</li>
  <li>logs any errors etc</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>I am too lazy to learn Perl (I tried before, but cant seem to get my head around it). Are there any (preferably open source) tools anyone can suggest, or maybe a simpler scripting languuage - or do I <em>really</em> have to learn Perl?</p>