NT Syntax : Using brackets to group expressions

Brackets can be useful to make complex commands more
readable and/or to span commands across several lines.

      (command)

      (
        command )

e.g.
   IF EXIST C:\pagefile.sys (
                             ECHO pagefile found on C: drive)

Under NT these brackets are purely cosmetic - they don't affect the processing of the commands in any way.

It is worth noting that brackets are also legal in NTFS pathnames, such brackets will be misinterpreted by the NT command processor.