in reply to
How do I execute UNIX commands from a perl script
For what it sounds like you'll want, the most you should need is to call system() with the commands you want to call. See the link for details on how to use it.
A quick and dirty example would be something like:
system("cp /foo /bar");
or
system("cp", "/foo", "/bar");
each of which do slightly different things. See system() or try a Super Search for more discussion.
Hope this helps!
--jwest
-><- -><- -><- -><- -><-
All things are Perfect
To every last Flaw
And bound in accord
With Eris's Law
- HBT; The Book of Advice, 1:7