diff --git a/doc/syscmd.py b/doc/syscmd.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6a8dca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/syscmd.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Copyright David Abrahams 2004. Use, modification and distribution is
+# subject to the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
+# file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+def syscmd(s):
+    print 'executing: ', repr(s)
+    sys.stdout.flush()
+    err = os.system(s)
+    if err:
+        raise SystemError, 'command: %s returned %s' % (
+            repr(s), err)