RDF Schema

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Discussion

RDF Schema provides a W3C data-modeling vocabulary for RDF data. RDF Schema extends the basic RDF vocabulary with constructs for describing classes, properties, subclass relationships, subproperty relationships, domains, and ranges.

RDF Schema supports semantic interpretation of RDF graphs by defining vocabulary-level relationships and constraints. RDF Schema provides more structure than RDF alone and less expressive power than OWL.

RDF Schema differs from a general schema. RDF Schema specifically defines vocabulary structure for RDF data.

Definition

data-modeling vocabulary for describing classes, properties, and vocabulary relationships in RDF data

Source

W3C RDF Schema 1.1; specialized for use in the FX Demo Reference Architecture.

Note

RDF Schema is not equivalent to OWL. RDF Schema provides basic vocabulary modeling for RDF data. OWL provides a more expressive ontology language with formally defined meaning for the Semantic Web.

Example

An RDF Schema model defines FXTrade as a class, ConfirmedFXTrade as a subclass of FXTrade, and hasCounterparty as a property whose domain is FXTrade.

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