Introduction to RDF

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)

# Introduction to RDF

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a W3C standard for describing Web resources, such as the title, author, modification date, content, and copyright information of a Web page.

## What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

- HTML
- XHTML
- XML
- XML Namespaces

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

## What is RDF?

- RDF stands for Resource Description Framework
- RDF is a framework for describing resources on the web
- RDF provides a model for data, and a syntax so that independent parties can exchange and use it
- RDF is designed to be read and understood by computers
- RDF is not designed for being displayed to people
- RDF is written in XML
- RDF is a part of the W3C's Semantic Web Activity
- RDF is a W3C Recommendation

## RDF - Examples of Use

- Describing properties for shopping items, such as price and availability
- Describing time schedules for web events
- Describing information about web pages, such as content, author, created and modified date
- Describing content and rating for web pictures
- Describing content for search engines
- Describing electronic libraries

## RDF is Designed to be Read by Computers

RDF was designed to provide a common way to describe information so 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 easily be exchanged between different types of computers using different types of operating systems and application languages.

## RDF and "The Semantic Web"

The RDF language is a part of the W3C's Semantic Web Activity. W3C's "Semantic Web Vision" is a future where:

- 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 Recommendation

RDF became a W3C Recommendation 10. February 2004.

To read more about the RDF activities at W3C, please read our W3C tutorial.

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)