There may be situations where data needs to be removed from a dataset, such as when a user requests its deletion or marks it as confidential and not for export.
In general, removed data should result in removed structures.
Pointers to a removed structure should be replaced with voidPtrs.
If removal of a structure makes the superstructure invalid because the superstructure required the substructure, the structure should instead be retained and have its payload changed to a voidPtr if a pointer, or to a data type-appropriate empty value if a non-pointer.
If removing a structure leaves its superstructure with no payload and no substructures, the superstructure should also be removed.
A structure can also be removed if it provides no new information. For example,
0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME John /Doe/
1 NAME John /Doe/
1 FAMC @F1@
1 FAMC @F1@
0 @F1@ FAM
1 CHIL @I1@
1 CHIL @I1@provides no information beyond the simpler form: