php.ini file contents

Hi, I was browsing through the php.ini file to see if maybe functions = that execute shell commands are disabled, but I didn't see anything, can = somebody confirm this just to make sure i didn't skip over it? I am = still trying to execute shell commands and I have been unsuccessful, I = know the security risks and such. The system that will be running it is = a closed system that won't be able to be accessed through the web, so I = don't have to worry about it getting hacked, I am just experimenting = some code. Thanks Teren