use XML::Simple qw(:strict);
XMLin($menufile,forcearray=>['item','command','exec','menu'],keyattr=>['name'],suppressempty=>undef);

##</code><code>##

<opt>
   <menu name="MainMenu"> 
      <label> OPS Menu </label>
      <item type="command">
         <label> EDM </label>
         <exec>
            <run> edmBeta </run>
         </exec>
      </item>
      <item type="submenu">
         <name> SoftwareMenu </name>
      </item>
   </menu>
   <menu name="SoftwareMenu">
      <label> Software Tools </label>
      <item type="submenu">
         <name> IOCMenu </name>
      </item>
   </menu>
</opt>