can you supplement nusphere distribution with php-cli, because it's absence means I cannot get php command line via php.exe.

If you want command line arguments have a look at php-win.exe; might do what you need http://www.php.net/manual/en/migration5.cli-cgi.php

Or use php -a

Or install your own PHP then you can do what you like with it.

Also have a look at http://www.experts-exchange.com/Web_Development/Web_Languages-Standards/PHP/Q_28394144.html in relation to your PEAR queries.

This forum is probably not busy enough to answer all your questions

try to discover php-general forum here http://news.php.net/
all your questions about php including CLI version are welcome on that forum