When an output evaluates to NONE

If an output object evaluates to "none", the information appearing in the output depends on how the output has been defined. The following table defines how output is build when the output occurrence evaluates to "none":

Table 1. When a required item evaluates to "None"
Context	Output is built in this manner:
Always	The item's initiator and terminator are built.
Occurs within a fixed explicit group	If a special value for NONE has been assigned, NONE is built as the special value. Otherwise, NONE is built as the pad characters for the Padded to Length specified.
Occurs within a delimited explicit group	The group's delimiter appears in the output. If a special value for NONE has been assigned, NONE is built as the special value. Or, if a pad property is specified as applied in any context, NONE is built. Otherwise, NONE is not built.
Occurs within an implicit group	If the group has a delimiter, the group's delimiter appears in the output. If a special value for NONE has been assigned, NONE is built as the special value. Or, if a pad property is specified as applied in any context, NONE is built.

Table 2. When an optional item evaluates to "None"
Context	Output is built in this manner:
Always	The item's initiator and terminator are not built.
Occurs within a fixed explicit group	If a special value for NONE has been assigned, NONE is built as the special value. Otherwise, NONE is built as all pad characters for the specified length.
Occurs within a delimited explicit group	The group's delimiter appears in the output if data with the same delimiter follows.
Occurs within an implicit group	No output is built.

Table 3. When a required group evaluates to "None"
Context	Output is built in this manner:
Always	The group's initiator and terminator are built. Required components are built.

Table 4. When an optional group evaluates to "None"
Context	Output is built in this manner:
Always	The group's initiator and terminator are not built.
Occurs within a fixed explicit group	Each component is built, down to its items, building NONE for each item according to the special value for NONE and pad property specifications.
Occurs within a delimited explicit group	The group's delimiter appears if data with the same delimiter follows.
Occurs within an implicit group	No output is built.

An item within a fixed group must have the Padded to = Fixed Size property specified, or the size minimum must equal the size maximum. If an item is required, and content is specified as required, an output invalid message appears in the summary trace file.