ANNOUNCEMENT: RDF Templates - Updated Specification and First Implementation

RDF Templates (RDFT) are an XML format for creating representations of
RDF graphs. In a similar way to XSLT, RDF Templates define template
rules with patterns which are matched against nodes. Template rules
specify output actions and further node selections which trigger
further template operation. However, instead of acting on an XML tree,
RDFT acts upon an RDF graph. Nodes are specified using a 'nodepath'
syntax which defines conditional node/arc/node graph traversals. A
macro definition facility is provided to reduce long nodepaths to
easier to read strings.

RDFT has been designed to parallel XSLT where sensible and anyone
familiar with that language and with the principles of the RDF model
should find it very easy to learn. RDFT solves a key problem of
processing RDF with XSLT since it acts on the underlying graph and
therefore has no dependencies on the RDF serialisation syntax. It also
specifies RDF Schema awareness so sub-classes and sub-properties are
handled as expected.

The updated RDFT specification, previously hosted on my personal site,
has found a new home at Semantic Planet:

http://www.semanticplanet.com/2003/08/rdft/spec

This version of the spec is accompanied by the first full
implementation, written in PHP and using the RAP RDF parser.
Development of this implementation has helped clarify large sections
of the original RDFT specification especially around the processing
model. The implementation is released under the GNU GPL. For more
information about this implementation or to download it see:

http://www.semanticplanet.com/2003/08/rdft/impl/php/dist

For an online demo of RDFT, please see:

http://www.semanticplanet.com/2003/08/rdft/impl/php/demo

Ian

-- Ian Davis <iand@internetalchemy.org>
"Minds are like books - they work best when open"

Received on Friday, 5 September 2003 16:51:51 UTC