CR: Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL)

Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL)

https://www.w3.org/TR/2017/CR-shacl-20170411/

feedback due by: 2017-05-09

Abstract


This document defines the SHACL Shapes Constraint Language, a language for validating RDF graphs against a set of conditions. These conditions are provided as shapes and other constructs expressed in the form of an RDF graph. RDF graphs that are used in this manner are called "shapes graphs" in SHACL and the RDF graphs that are validated against a shapes graph are called "data graphs". As SHACL shape graphs are used to validate that data graphs satisfy a set of conditions they can also be viewed as a description of the data graphs that do satisfy these conditions. Such descriptions may be used for a variety of purposes beside validation, including user interface building, code generation and data integration.

Status of the Document


This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. Other documents may supersede this document. A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in the W3C technical reports index at https://www.w3.org/TR/.

Features at risk

In its meeting on March 2, 2017 the RDF Data Shapes Working Group has decided to mark SHACL-SPARQL (i.e. sections 5 and 6) as feature at risk. The Working Group would like to collect implementation feedback on the current definition of pre-binding which is central to SHACL-SPARQL. Marking this as a feature at risk provides the WG with more flexibility with regards to the recommendation track process in case technical issues are being reported, for example by splitting SHACL-SPARQL into a separate document.

In its meeting on April 5, 2017 the RDF Data Shapes Working Group has decided to mark the syntax rules lessThan-scope and lessThanOrEquals-scope as feature at risk. The Working Group requests feedback from implementors and users concerning the value of these rules. The argument for removing them is that they may be an obstacle for systems using Generalized RDF, with literals as subjects.

General Information

This document was published by the RDF Data Shapes Working Group as a Candidate Recommendation. This document is intended to become a W3C Recommendation. If you wish to make comments regarding this document, please send them to public-rdf-shapes@w3.org (subscribe, archives). W3C publishes a Candidate Recommendation to indicate that the document is believed to be stable and to encourage implementation by the developer community. This Candidate Recommendation is expected to advance to Proposed Recommendation no earlier than 09 May 2017. All comments are welcome.

Please see the Working Group's implementation report.

Publication as a Candidate Recommendation does not imply endorsement by the W3C Membership. This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced or obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than work in progress.

This document was produced by a group operating under the 5 February 2004 W3C Patent Policy. W3C maintains a public list of any patent disclosures made in connection with the deliverables of the group; that page also includes instructions for disclosing a patent. An individual who has actual knowledge of a patent which the individual believes contains Essential Claim(s) must disclose the information in accordance with section 6 of the W3C Patent Policy.

This document is governed by the 1 March 2017 W3C Process Document.