That is why you don't use Python, you use Perl. Every Unix has Perl, and Perl has backward compatibility into the last millenium. Always use 'strict' and proper linting for readability and typo avoidance.

If you are able to install modules, add 'IPC::Run' and 'Getopt::Declare' or 'Getopt::Euclid'. Never again will you be able to tolerate anything else ;)