using unix date command parameters on a variable

[edwardb15]

i am trying to use the "date" options on a user defined date variable. is this possible?

$ user_date=`date`
$ echo $user_date
Monday January 10 15:01:25 EST 2005

$ C_DATE=`$user_date +"%a %b %e "`

 

[mrregan]

$C_DATE=$user_date`date +%a%b%e`

 

[ericbrunson]

I don't believe it's possible.

 

[edwardb15]

thanks for your responses.
the $C_DATE=$user_date`date +%a%b%e` doesn't quite produce what i'm after, output:
Tuesday January 11 08:38:30 EST 2005TueJan11

the output from:
$ C_DATE=`date +"%a %b %e "`
$ echo $C_DATE
Tue Jan 11

i can format this in the output required. thanks.