Re: Default RDF serialization

On 8/23/12 10:19 AM, Steve K Speicher wrote:
> I strongly agree as well with these points.  The only reason RDF/XML was
> the only required serialization the member submission is it was the only
> W3C Recommendation and we attempted to only reference "official"
> standards.

Yes, I understand. Just as (after all these years) I'll never understand 
why the W3C hasn't acted on this most distracting and negative reality.

If RDF/XML's status as the sole syntax can't be addressed by putting 
Turtle on the same standing, then we have even more reasons for an overt 
and explicit loose coupling of RDF and Linked Data. Sadly, we have the 
complete opposite.

>   Since this appears to be changing within W3C, then this
> limitation no longer exists.  There was no technical reason, the
> preference would be Turtle.  There is some consideration in the amount of
> broad support for the serializations and therefore RDF/XML had a little
> appeal but that is perhaps taking a too narrow view without the desire to
> move things in right direction.

RDF/XML provides no benefits to folks that aren't building transformers. 
Folks like us build data (typically XML sources) transformers 
(cartridges) using RDF/XML, all of that happens behind the scenes and 
has no real impact on end-users and developers bar offering a plethora 
of formats for Linked Data Document content, via content negotiation.

>
> I think you may have underestimated the problem you identified in (d) as
> this is something that I deal with on a fairly regular basis.
>
> My preference order for RDF serialization formats would be:
> 1) Turtle  (minimal requirement)

This is for end-users, integrators, and programmers.

> 2) JSON-LD
For JSON programmers.
> 3) RDF/XML

For XML programmers that understand RDF != XML.

Kingsley
>
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Speicher
> IBM Rational Software
> OSLC - Lifecycle integration inspired by the web ->
> http://open-services.net
>
> David Booth <david@dbooth.org> wrote on 08/23/2012 10:08:05 AM:
>
>> From: David Booth <david@dbooth.org>
>> To: public-ldp-wg@w3.org,
>> Date: 08/23/2012 10:10 AM
>> Subject: Default RDF serialization
>>
>> FWIW, if the LD profile is going to recommend one RDF serialization as
>> the default for RDF, I would argue strongly that it should be Turtle
>> instead of RDF/XML, because:
>>
>>   (a) Turtle is far more human friendly to read;
>>   (b) RDF/XML is not XML Schema friendly;
>>   (c) RDF/XML has XML-based restrictions (such as prohibiting local names
>> that start with a digit) that make certain RDF difficult to represent;
>>   (d) RDF/XML has had a history of misleading developers who are familiar
>> with XML (but not RDF) into thinking that RDF is just a kind of XML.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> -- 
>> David Booth, Ph.D.
>> http://dbooth.org/
>>
>> Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily
>> reflect those of his employer.
>>
>>
>
>
>


-- 

Regards,

Kingsley Idehen	
Founder & CEO
OpenLink Software
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