To automate deployments via a script, a command-line tool is required. The Salesforce CLI (SFDX CLI) is the modern tool for this purpose, allowing developers to script deployments, test runs, and other development tasks from a terminal or in a CI/CD pipeline. The Ant Migration Tool is a Java/Ant-based command-line utility that also allows for scripted retrieval and deployment of metadata. Both tools are designed for automation and can target any Salesforce org, including sandboxes, for deployment.

B. Developer Console: The Developer Console is a browser-based, interactive IDE. It lacks scripting or command-line capabilities for automating deployments.

C. Change Sets: Change Sets are a point-and-click feature within the Salesforce UI for manual deployments between connected orgs. They cannot be automated or called from a script.

1. Salesforce Developer Documentation, Salesforce DX Developer Guide, "Deploy Your Changes". This guide details using SFDX CLI commands like sf project deploy start for scripted deployments.

2. Salesforce Developer Documentation, Ant Migration Tool Guide, "Introduction". "You can use the Ant Migration Tool to...build scripted deployments that can be repeated."