Structure-oriented processing

When processing starts, the parser transforms the entire XML document into a tree presentation in working memory. In the COBOL program the familiar data structures correspond to the hierarchical structures of the XML document. The structure of the XML document can thus be described with the aid of two additional new clauses. However, you do not need to describe the entire document; it is sufficient if those parts which the program wishes to process are described. The enhanced statements for file processing then permit such COBOL data structures to be assigned to specific positions in the tree, data selected from the tree in this way to be transferred, and access to this data in the COBOL program.