For your first question the simplest way is 

perl -e"system 'start cmd';"

[download]

Depending upon what you want to do with the new command shell, then you may want to follow the "cmd" part with /c or /k and then the command you want to run.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.
"Efficiency is intelligent laziness." -David Dunham
"Think for yourself!" - Abigail
Hooray!

In reply to Re: A few random questions. by BrowserUk
in thread A few random questions. by Elijah

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