(Resource Description Framework) A recommendation from the W3C for creating meta-data structures that define data on the Web. RDF is designed to provide a method for classification of data on Web sites in order to improve searching and navigation (see Semantic Web).
An RDF Schema (RDFS) is a construct that describes the structure of the RDF vocabulary, including the terms used and their interrelationships and properties.
Based on XML
RDF is implemented in XML (RDF/XML) and adds new rules to XML as well as reducing some constraints. For example, it supports flat structures, eliminating the need to have data nested in a hierarchy. RDF is structured as one or more Triples: (1) the subject (what the data is about), (2) the property (an attribute of the subject) and (3) the actual value.
A Common Denominator
RDF serves as a common denominator that allows different sets of vocabulary to be recognized. For example, using the RDF descriptor for zip code would let systems exchange zip code data that use "ZIP" and "ZIPCODE. See SPARQL, OWL, XDI and RSS.
An RDF Schema (RDFS) is a construct that describes the structure of the RDF vocabulary, including the terms used and their interrelationships and properties.
Based on XML
RDF is implemented in XML (RDF/XML) and adds new rules to XML as well as reducing some constraints. For example, it supports flat structures, eliminating the need to have data nested in a hierarchy. RDF is structured as one or more Triples: (1) the subject (what the data is about), (2) the property (an attribute of the subject) and (3) the actual value.
A Common Denominator
RDF serves as a common denominator that allows different sets of vocabulary to be recognized. For example, using the RDF descriptor for zip code would let systems exchange zip code data that use "ZIP" and "ZIPCODE. See SPARQL, OWL, XDI and RSS.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- The Steve Jobs Premium
- The Steve Jobs PremiumWhat was so thoughtfull about ....... the Apple store's answer? They sold yopu a Belkin Cable that didn't work, recommended a cable they didn't have and then sent you off to radioshack to buy the cable you already looked at. it seems the RDF is...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- Is Microsoft slow to the punch on SOA, or just waiting for the right moment?
- Is Microsoft slow to the punch on SOA, or just waiting for the right moment?They are waiting for the right time to pounce. Right now, they want to slowSOA as much as possible, to keep the money rolling in for the twin cash cows, but, there will come a time...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-24
- Tim Berners-Lee talks cranberry sauce and Linked Data in New York City
- Sir Tim Berners-Lee took to the stage in New York City last night, to deliver the final keynote of the day at JupiterMedia's new semantic web event, Linked Data Planet. The ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel was certainly busier than earlier in the day, as a smattering...
- Blog posts 2008-06-18
- Why is the market hammering Apple?
- Why is the market hammering Apple?iPod blows Archos out of the waterYou might want to read http://www.archos.com/corporate/investors/financial_doc/Pres_Results_ARCHOS_20080422.pdf as it will explain how Archos is exiting the PMP Portable Music Player market as fast as they can.Wow, now NZ is a stock market expert...There's no end to his skilz.I can't believe...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-13
- Calais 2.0 unveiled by Thomson Reuters
- In a press release to coincide with this week's Semantic Technology Conference in San Jose, Thomson Reuters subsidiary ClearForest has announced a major upgrade to their OpenCalais web service; Calais 2.0. Calais was originally launched in January of 2008, and there have been two interim releases in...
- Blog posts 2008-05-19
- Tom Ilube ponders 'social verification' with FOAF
- Writing today in the latest issue of Nodalities Magazine, Garlik CEO Tom Ilube tackles the increasingly fraught subject of Identity Theft before moving past it to consider notions of 'social verification.' Tom's company, Garlik, offers a product called DataPatrol that helps UK consumers track information about themselves...
- Blog posts 2008-05-16
- Yahoo! frees the Monkey, and announces prizes for a Developer Challenge
- In conversation with Yahoo! Research's Peter Mika last week, I jokingly suggested that Yahoo! Search's open developer platform, SearchMonkey, might open its doors to developers this week. Well, they just did, and went a step further by announcing a month-long Developer Challenge and prizes of up to $10,000 for innovative...
- Blog posts 2008-05-15
- Commercialising the Semantic Web
- Following an earlier post on this blog, last month I found myself moderating a panel in the final session of one of the tracks at this year's World Wide Web Conference in Beijing. As I commented via Twitter at the end of the session, "Great...
- Blog posts 2008-05-15
- Peter Mika offers bananas at Yahoo! Research
- Yahoo! are certainly being a lot more open than competitors such as Google and Microsoft when it comes to talking about their use of semantic technologies. They've been active for several years in recruiting stalwarts of the Semantic Web community such as Dave Beckett, and there is a long tradition...
- Blog posts 2008-05-08
- Consumer Reports: Apple leads in support - by double digits
- Consumer Reports: Apple leads in support - by double digitsWOW!!!!Apple just slaughtered the competition. That speaks volumes in itself. Apple... leading by a huge double digit margin...BTW.. Shadetree, Non_Zealot, No_Axe, and Ye... A double digit is a number that is higher than any of you guys can count to.Paid for?Looks...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-06
- Guest post: Introducing the Open Data Definition
- This is a guest post by Ben Werdmuller who is the CTO of Curverider and one of the leads behind the Elgg open source social application engine. The Open Data Definition is a new format for the import and export of data from within social applications....
- Blog posts 2008-04-28
- Linked Data on the Web, WWW2008
- The main programme of this year's World Wide Web Conference gets underway here in Beijing today Wednesday, but ahead of that yesterday was devoted to workshops. With my colleague Tom Heath one of the co-chairs, a paper pdf from colleagues Rob Styles, Nadeem Shabir and the absent...
- Blog posts 2008-04-22
- Apple releases Safari 3.1.1 security update
- Apple releases Safari 3.1.1 security updateAnd they offered it to me, even though I said "ignore" Safari beforeThey also offered me a new iTunes+QuickTime, which I've "ignored" countless times before. (All I have is QuickTime installed.)They offered a new Apple Software Update, which I installed, so maybe the new...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-16
- Rumor Mill: What you’ll be coveting from Apple next
- Rumor Mill: What you’ll be coveting from Apple nextSell the RDF!There's great money to be made if Apple can find a way to package and sell Steve Jobs' "Reality Distortion Field". Politicians and corporations would clear the shelves! ;)iMac/mini soon, new tablet/iPhone laterThe iMac and mini are definitely about...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-04
- EU investigating OOXML vote
- EU investigating OOXML voteNot suprised at all given all of the dirty tricks. And, even if OOXML werenot approved, the actions are still just as bad.Are you surprised that the EU investigating OOXML vote?They are doing everything in their power to "evict" Microsoft from the EU, leaving only "homegrown" Linux...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-02
- The Semantic Web goes thin
- The Semantic Web goes thinquestionable titleInteresting, useful info, but how does it relate to the Semantic Web?RE: The Semantic Web goes thinAnd what do virtual worlds and XML / RDF have in common?RE: The Semantic Web goes thinand just what do virtual worlds and the Semantic Web have in common?...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-31
- 'Scandal' over Norway's vote for OOXML
- 'Scandal' over Norway's vote for OOXMLOh Please!You know what, there are a million things more important than this format issue.At the end of the day, instead of asking or negotiating with MS to submit XLS and DOC to ISO, someone decided thata) Microsoft is evilb) Binary formats are badc) XML...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-31
- Why kill Google?
- Why kill Google?Google's existence prevents MS providing only pro MS search resultsbut have NO DOUBT that MS is leveraging their army of monkeysto attain that ultimate end. As we all know with Microsoft, they'll stoop to any level to try to attain what THEY want.Do you remember the recent "Why...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-28
- Windows Update setup (Apple Software Update versus Microsoft Update)
- Windows Update setup Apple Software Update versus Microsoft Update6 of one/half a dozen of the other.Both systems have their pluses and minuses. Both have levels of obscurity and I have had issues with disclosure on both systems. Personally, I find the Apple one a bit better laid out...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-25
- Microsoft confirms Word attacks
- Microsoft confirms Word attacksNo, in Jet>>Microsoft has confirmed reports of vulnerability in WordGrammatical issue aside, the vulnerability is in the Jet engine, not Word. Word is the vector.Vista is NOT vulnerable: yet another reason to use Vistayet another reason to use VistaRE: Microsoft confirms Word attacksThere is NO reason to...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-24
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- ZDNet video: Intel® vPro™ technology and Cost Savings
-
Randy Nystrom, an IT systems engineer at Intel, shows how vPro saves time and money by diagnosing PC problems remotely. (1 of 4 new videos with Intel engineers on ZDNet).
- Watch the video and more at Intel's Power Center >>
