Run python code directly from a batch file

python-batchfile.bat

@echo off & python -x "%~f0" %* & goto :eof 

# ==========================================================
# one way to place python script in a batch file
# place python code below (no need for .py file)
# ==========================================================

import sys
print "Hello World!"
for i,a in enumerate(sys.argv):
	print "argv[%d]=%s" % (i,a)

To run commands before or after, create a new batch file that calls this batch file, for example:

echo About to call the python batchfile
call batchfile.bat
echo Return from the python batchfile

python reads the entire contents of batchfile.bat and skips the first line. there's no way to change that.

The problem is I don't want to include or embed another .bat file. I want all these in one single file because I will be publishing the batch file as an .exe file to stop others from stealing code and I don't want them seeing the included files.