Mechanics and Fixing Any Questions Answered

Is there a difference between rim brake shifters and disc brake shifters? I’m talking purely cable here, not hydraulic.

They're just cable or hydraulic, the disc calipers are either short/road pull to match them or long/MTB pull to match V-brakes.

I have an 11 speed set up. Can I run Shimano shifters with a SRAM rear mech? Again, cable not hydraulic.

Not really, the problem here has nothing to do with cable or hydraulic though, Shimano and SRAM pull different amounts of gear cable, the hydro and cable shifters use the same mechs within the brand and speed generally.