You can use either a UNIX®-style or Windows®-style variable syntax in step commands or environment variables definitions.
The system uses a preprocessor to interpret both UNIX-style ($VAR) or Windows-style (%VAR%) syntax into an appropriate format for the server where the step is run. The preparsing can enable a step to run on either a Windows-based server or a UNIX-based server.
echo %fooVar% # Windows syntax
echo $fooVar # UNIX or Linux syntax
set fooVar=100 # Windows
fooVar=200 # UNIX or Linux syntax
The preparser, the Windows environment, and the various UNIX and Linux shells interpret special characters differently. Take care when using special characters and the backslash escape character.