[Tutor] python beginner

[Fred @ Mac]

I have an external app that writes out a very basic xml files that  
contains data that needs to be processed. For Example, one type of job  
would be a simple file copy.

So in the XML file there would be (among other bits of information  
about the job) things like

<JobType>CopyFiles</JobType>
<User>Frank</User> ( for who submitted the job.)
<Path>c:\tmp\</Path>
<First Frame>Image_0001.jpg</First Frame>
<Last Frame>Image_0150..jpg</Last Frame>
<DestDir>d:\backup\</DestDir>

I need to learn to write a program that does several things.

First it will scan a directory for these sort of xml data files.

Secondly, it will need a basic interface that lists the jobs in the  
queue, and whether or not they are done being processed.

Thirdly, it will have to support multiple job types. Each job type  
will have its own set of commands to run. The example above would be a  
very simple job that would copy (probably using xcopy) to copy all the  
images in a sequence between frame 0001 and frame 0150 of c:\tmp 
\Image_0001.jpg to d:\backup\. This job type of copy should probably  
also check the destdir to make sure they are identical, and then set  
the status of that job to completed.

Of course to do all of this, it will also need an interface. So  
whatever language/script I use must of course be able to produce a  
sort of small database and interface to keep track of which jobs have  
been processed.

My first question is, what language do you think this sort of thing  
would be best done in. I have some scripting experience in Lua, very  
basic python, and 2 semesters of c++, so i am a NOVICE in all those  
languages, but I understand scripting and programming a little and  
don't think it is too far of a stretch for me to learn how to do this.  
But I want to make sure I start down the right road with the best tool  
for the job, IE: the best language for this sort of program.

Thank you.