GTK connection to shell

[Dan \"BUTTER\"]

Hi there! i am working with GTK+ and GDK and i wondered ,If i make a file box (when i see the files in a box), and i want to connect it to other applications of linux like gimp or emacs ,,,, how do i do it inside a C program using the GTK and GDK libraries and tools???????? Is there a way to insert shell script lines into a normal C program??????                     THANX                                                                             dan