Data items (data structures)

The XML IMPORT FILE, XML IMPORT TEXT, XML EXPORT FILE, and XML EXPORT TEXT statements operate on a single COBOL data item. As you would expect, this data item may be (and usually will be) a group item. The COBOL program must move all necessary data to the selected data item before using the XML EXPORT FILE or XML EXPORT TEXT statements and retrieve data from the data item after using the XML IMPORT FILE or XML IMPORT TEXT statement.

The referenced data item-and any items contained within it, if it is a group item-has the following limitations:

• REDEFINES and RENAMES clauses are not allowed.
• FILLER data items must be nonnumeric.
• The data item must be the same size or larger than the data item specified in the model files, but it is not required to be the same data item. For additional information, see Anonymous COBOL Data Structures.