SPARQL

RDF query language that can be used to express queries across diverse data sources

From "SPARQL Query Language for RDF (W3C)"

RDF is a directed, labeled graph data format for representing information in the Web. RDF is often used to represent, among other things, personal information, social networks, metadata about digital artifacts, as well as to provide a means of integration over disparate sources of information. This specification defines the syntax and semantics of the SPARQL query language for RDF.

The SPARQL query language for RDF is designed to meet the use cases and requirements identified by the RDF Data Access Working Group .

The SPARQL query language is closely related to the following specifications:

  • The SPARQL Protocol for RDF specification defines the remote protocol for issuing SPARQL queries and receiving the results.
  • The SPARQL Query Results XML Format specification defines an XML document format for representing the results of SPARQL SELECT and ASK queries.

Most forms of SPARQL query contain a set of triple patterns called a basic graph pattern. Triple patterns are like RDF triples except that each of the subject, predicate and object may be a variable. A basic graph pattern matches a subgraph of the RDF data when RDF terms from that subgraph may be substituted for the variables and the result is RDF graph equivalent to the subgraph.

 

 

 

Suggested Webcast: SPARQL By Example: A Tutorial by Lee Feigenbaum.

Reference URLs: 
SPARQL Query Language for RDF
SPARQL Protocol for RDF
SPARQL Query Results XML Format
Background Information (Wikipedia)
SPARQL By Example: A Tutorial
Posted September 19th, 2008 by carynn
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