Interpretation of variables in steps

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.

Examples:
How variables are parsed:
  1. The preparser evaluates the variable assignment. Special characters are consumed unless escaped by the backslash character ($, %, {, }, ", '). If preparsing is turned off, all characters are passed.
  2. Each side of the variable assignment is evaluated by the target environment.
  3. The evaluated variable assignment is executed.

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.


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