Recursive structure definition

Question

Dear Experts,
I would like to know how can I create a TYPE with recursive structure. The main objective is to construct an internal table for my organization structure and then export it to XML using simple transformation. Currently, I can only export this XML by construct the XML document like a string composition which is harder to read and modify.
Regards,
Alex

Answer 1

You want something like in java (from wikipedia article)
class List<E> {
    E value;
    List<E> next;
That's only possible in ABAP using data references.
TYPES: BEGIN OF list,
         e  TYPE i,
         pn TYPE REF TO data,
       END OF list.
DATA: lp_data TYPE REF TO data.
FIELD-SYMBOLS: <ls_list> TYPE list.
CREATE DATA lp_data TYPE list.
ASSIGN lp_data->* TO <ls_list>.
* Add elements
DO 10 TIMES.
  <ls_list>-e = sy-index.
  CREATE DATA <ls_list>-pn TYPE list.
  ASSIGN <ls_list>-pn->* TO <ls_list>.
ENDDO.
<ls_list>-e = 11.
* Display elements
ASSIGN lp_data->* TO <ls_list>.
WRITE: / <ls_list>-e.
DO.
  IF <ls_list>-pn IS INITIAL.
    EXIT.
  ENDIF.
  ASSIGN <ls_list>-pn->* TO <ls_list>.
  WRITE: / <ls_list>-e.
ENDDO.
Don't know if that helps with your XML question.
matt