= returns the current escape character.  Use this variable, instead of the 
actual escape character, if you want your batch files and aliases to work 
regardless of how the escape character is defined.  For example, if the 
escape character is a caret [^] (the default in CMD.EXE) both of the 
commands below will send a form feed to the printer.  However, if the 
escape character has been changed,  the first command will send the string 
"^f" to the printer, while the second command will continue to work as 
intended. 

        echos ^f > prn
        echos %=f > prn