[Info-vax] Weird Cobol alignment issue.

[David Froble]

Jan-Erik Soderholm wrote:
> Envir:
> Compaq COBOL V2.8-1286
> VMS 8.2 Alpha.
> 
> 
> In a current project, an XML structure broke.
> 
> One element of XML data looks like :
> 
> ...
> <TreatmentCode>05</TreatmentCode>
> ...
> 
> There are a number of XML elements with similar
> declarations before and after that one.
> 
> The data declaration was first like :
> 
>  05 filler    pic x(15)       value '<TreatmentCode>'.
>  05 mem101-xml-treat-code     pic 9(2).
>  05 filler    pic x(16)       value '</TreatmentCode>'.
> 
> This is in line with all other XML elements and
> it worked "as expected" for a months of development
> and created correct XML data.
> 
> Now, suddenly this produced XML code like :
> 
> ...
> <TreatmentCode05</TreatmentCode>
> ...
> 
> Note the missing closing ">" before the value "05"!
> 
> Currently I have to declare this specific element like :
> 
>  05 filler    pic x(16)       value '<TreatmentCode> '.
>  05 mem101-xml-treat-code     pic 9(2).
>  05 filler    pic x(16)       value '</TreatmentCode>'.
> 
> Note the extra space character at the end of first filler!
> This produces the correct XML element, that is, the extra
> space character is not included in the XML structure. Weird...
> 
> I have not tried to create a reproducer, but has anyone
> seen anything like this from the Cobol compiler?
> 
> This doesn't feel particular stable, and I'm prepared to
> backout this "fix" at any moment...
> 
> Jan-Erik.
> 

If you want to test this, set the trailing tag to 15 length and take out 
a letter.

Is this the only tag with an odd number of characters ????