RDF Introduction

Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a W3C standard for describing web resources, such as a web page's title, author, modification date, content, and copyright information.

Basic Knowledge You Should Have

Before continuing, you should have a basic understanding of the following:

  • HTML
  • XHTML
  • XML
  • XML Namespaces

If you wish to learn these first, please visit ourHomepage。

What is RDF?

  • RDF stands for Resource Description Framework
  • RDF is a framework for describing resources on the Web
  • RDF provides a data model and syntax, enabling independent parties to exchange and use it
  • RDF is designed to be read and understood by computers
  • RDF is not designed to be displayed to people
  • RDF is written in XML
  • RDF is part of the W3C Semantic Web activity
  • RDF is a W3C Recommendation

RDF - Application Examples

  • Describe properties of shopping items, such as price and availability
  • Describe the timeline of Web events
  • Describe information about web pages, such as content, author, and the dates created and modified
  • Describe the content and rating of web images
  • Describe content for search engines
  • Describe electronic libraries

RDF is designed to be read by computers

RDF is designed to provide a common method for describing information so that it can be read and understood by computer applications

RDF descriptions are not designed to be displayed on the Web

RDF is written in XML

RDF documents are written in XML. The XML language used by RDF is called RDF/XML.

By using XML, RDF information can be easily exchanged between computers using different types of operating systems and application languages

RDF and the Semantic Web

The RDF language is part of W3C's Semantic Web activity. The goal of the W3C's "Semantic Web Vision" is:

  • Web information has exact meaning
  • Web information can be understood and processed by computers
  • Computers can integrate information from the Web

RDF is a W3C Standard

RDF became a W3C Standard in February 2004

W3C Recommendations (standards) are regarded as web standards by the industry and the web community. W3C Recommendations are stable specifications developed by W3C working groups and reviewed by W3C members.

The official W3C Recommendation can be found via this link.

http://www.w3.org/RDF/

Other Extensions