Wishlist for SPARQL 1.2: Compatible query-hints, extra math operators

Dear Workgroup, All,

Maybe not the best moment to bring this up as the ink on SPARQL 1.1 is 
not even dry yet. But looking to the future could we start thinking 
about SPARQL 1.2 and what could be standardized there.

The first need I am seeing is the need to standardize query hints.

Oracle uses extra prefix declarations for query hints [1].
BigData uses magic BGP's [2]
Virtuoso introduced a new keyword ASSUME [3]

The BigData and Virtuoso approach introduce query incompatibilities 
which is unfortunate. Oracle is ok in this respect as the unused 
prefixes won't affect any strictly compatible sparql engine. I like the 
idea that any SPARQL query will run on any store the only thing changing 
is speed. Extra keywords or non existing BGP's break this utopia :(

The second is an expansion of the basic math operators to include at 
least (square)root. (square)root is very hard to implement using the 
current SPARQL constructs yet is a very useful function. (even if not exact)

Regards,
Jerven



[1] 
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E18283_01/appdev.112/e11828/sem_jena.htm#CBBIAGAF
[2] http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/bigdata/index.php?title=QueryHints
[3] 
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=51F67BB8.7030302%40openlinksw.com&forum_name=virtuoso-users




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Received on Tuesday, 30 July 2013 14:06:10 UTC