Problem:
When creating an XML file from a COBOL program, how would you prevent groups/items being output to the XML file? This may be necessary when the items or groups hold no data at all.
Resolution:
Define the groups/items in the COBOL program with the COUNT IN clause, e.g.
03 Main IDENTIFIED BY "Main".
05 A PIC X(6) IDENTIFIED BY "A_TAG" COUNT IN A-CNT.
05 B PIC X(6) IDENTIFIED BY "B_TAG" COUNT IN B-CNT.
07 B-ATTR PIC X(6) IDENTIFIED BY "B1_A" IS ATTRIBUTE.
07 B-SUB PIC X(6) IDENTIFIED BY "B_SUB_TAG" COUNT IN B-SUB-CNT.
...
Moving 0 (zero) to the count variables wil stop the associated elements or groups being output to the XML file.
Old KB# 5820
