Create XML element without closing tag

Question

I have this nested golang struct:

// TierRequest is the outer most XML envelope of soap request
type TierRequest struc         


        

Answer 1

There is no difference at the XML level between an element with no content and an end-tag:

<soapenv:Header></soapenv:Header>

and an empty element tag:

<soapenv:Header/>

To control which form is used, you'd have to treat the data as text rather than as XML, but better not to worry about a difference that makes no difference.

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[Added for completeness]

...other than an obscure and antiquated recommendation

For interoperability, the empty-element tag should be used, and should only be used, for elements which are declared EMPTY.

regarding interoperability with SGML:

for interoperability

[Definition: Marks a sentence describing a non-binding recommendation included to increase the chances that XML documents can be processed by the existing installed base of SGML processors which predate the WebSGML Adaptations Annex to ISO 8879.]