PERL exec() replacement?

Isn't there any Perl exec() replacement (I might be wrong about the name of the function, I mean the one that lets you run a Perl command and return the expression value)? I'd really like one for different reasons (my preg_repace("#e#e",$command,"e") doesn't really work tooo great)... If there is one, does it have a (or could you add a last) parameter that is a bool or a buffer that could return all echo'ed data? Also, why the ! does virtual() kill all ob? That seems to be just about the most idiotic thing possible to me... I mean, what if I run a Perl or Python (or whatever) script that outputs a XML file that would need to get parsed? Although, I guess it's not PHP authors fault, rather Apache's, is that right? Thanks for reading.. -- // DvDmanDT MSN: dvdmandt@hotmail.com Mail: dvdmandt@telia.com