PCAC> SPAWN MAIL You have 1 new message. MAIL> READ\NEW . . . MAIL> EXIT %PCA-I-RETURNED, control returned to process CARRELL PCAC> This command spawns a subprocess that runs the MAIL program. When you exit from MAIL, you return to the original PCA session. PCAC> SPAWN $ TYPE MUMBLE.DAT . . . $ LOGOUT Process CARRELL_1 logged out at 29-FEB-1985 14:10:43.55 %PCA-I-RETURNED, control returned to process CARRELL PCAC> This command spawns a subprocess. Since you did not specify a DCL command on the SPAWN command, the subprocess prompts for DCL commands. When you log out of the subprocess, you return to the PCA session.