I'm dumfounded. I could do this stuff age 25, with one hand, while watching Dr. Who and eating a Cheese and Beetroot sandwich.

Now I'm 50 I can't workout diddly-squat !

Set Var ddate=%date%

[ or Set Var ddate = %date% ]

Echo %ddate% a

Echo %ddate bb

Echo ddate ccc

Echo %%ddate dddd

Echo %ddate % eeeee

====

a

ddate bb

ddate ccc

%ddate dddd

eeeee

( Windows 10 .Bat file )