How to delay a variable's setting

[Bernie Zelitch]

If I run MS nmake on the following, the output is
1
2
***********************
all : yyy xxx
var=1
yyy :
    @echo $(var)
var=2

xxx :
    @echo $(var)
***********************

However, with gmake, the output is
2
2

Apparently, the two makes have two different ideas of when the variable
value should be captured.

I have a makefile technique which assembles changing, table-like variables
in an include file. Therefore, I would like a technique which is like the
nmake approach-- the value should be captured at the time is is encountered.

Any ideas would be much appreciated,
Bernie