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Gedcom Validator shows WWW error in REPO

Posted: 23 Mar 2021 03:06
by rcpettit
I ran my FH7 gedcom through a gedcom validator and fixed a bunch of my mistakes. But I have the following warning I can't get rid of and can't find the answer on the web. The message is:

Invalid tag structure. Tag 'WWW' is not permitted under tag 'REPO'.

Is this a FH thing or am I doing something wrong?

Re: Gedcom Validator shows WWW error in REPO

Posted: 23 Mar 2021 10:59
by tatewise
I use GEDCOM Validator to check my Export Gedcom File plugin and it is extremely rigorous.

Strictly speaking according to GEDCOM 5.5.1 the tags PHON, EMAIL, FAX & WWW can only occur after an ADDR tag.
GEDCOM Validator is enforcing that requirement, but in practice any of those tags can exist independently.
So you are doing nothing wrong.

GEDCOM 5.5.1 Specification:
Page 27 REPOSITORY_RECORD says ADDRESS_STRUCTURE must occur at most once {0:1}.
Page 32 EVENT_DETAIL says ADDRESS_STRUCTURE must occur at most once {0:1}.
Page 31 ADDRESS_STRUCTURE says ADDR <ADDRESS_LINE> must occur exctly once {1:1}.
The other tags PHON, EMAIL, FAX & WWW can occur up to three times {0:3}.
So that means that if an ADDRESS_STRUCTURE exists it MUST have at least an ADDR tag.

Therefore FH is strictly non-compliant but I suspect few products enforce that requirement.

Re: Gedcom Validator shows WWW error in REPO

Posted: 23 Mar 2021 16:47
by AdrianBruce
tatewise wrote:
23 Mar 2021 10:59
... I suspect few products enforce that requirement.
Presumably those who did it deliberately, did it because they wanted to allow a REPO to have a WWW while omitting a mailing ADDR (e.g. about any web-site you care to name!)

GEDCOM 7.0 (alas, we hardly knew you!) appears to allow a WWW for a REPO that omits an ADDR.

Re: Gedcom Validator shows WWW error in REPO

Posted: 23 Mar 2021 17:38
by tatewise
Adrian, you are absolutely correct.
Also, the limit of three instances of PHON, EMAIL, FAX & WWW tags has been completely lifted {0:M}.
The same changes apply to the Event details.
Roll on GEDCOM 7.0, it has so many plus points.