Is it possible to create a multi-line string variable in a Makefile

Question

I want to create a makefile variable that is a multi-line string (e.g. the body of an email release announcement). something like

ANNOUNCE_BODY=\"
Version $         


        

Answer 1

I like alhadis's answer best. But to keep columnar formatting, add one more thing.

SYNOPSIS := :: Synopsis: Makefile\
| ::\
| :: Usage:\
| ::    make .......... : generates this message\
| ::    make synopsis . : generates this message\
| ::    make clean .... : eliminate unwanted intermediates and targets\
| ::    make all ...... : compile entire system from ground-up\
endef

Outputs:

:: Synopsis: Makefile 
:: 
:: Usage: 
:: make .......... : generates this message 
:: make synopsis . : generates this message 
:: make clean .... : eliminate unwanted intermediates and targets 
:: make all ...... : compile entire system from ground-up