# File lib/edi4r.rb, line 379
    def validate( err_count=0 )
      location = "#{parent.name} - #{@name}"
      if empty?
        if required?
          warn "#{location}: Empty though mandatory!"
          err_count += 1
        end
      else
        if rep && maxrep && rep > maxrep
          warn "#{location}: Too often repeated: #{rep} > #{maxrep}!"
          err_count += 1
        end
        each {|obj| err_count += obj.validate}
      end
      err_count
    end