Institute for Learning and Research Technology (ILRT),
University of Bristol, 8-10 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1HH, UK
This is a pre-print of a paper submitted to ISWC2003
This paper reviews the process that was undertaken in revising the transfer syntax for RDF as defined in the RDF Model and Syntax W3C Recommendation by the RDF Core Working Group and the problems that are now clear especially comparing the revised RDF model and new abstract syntax. The syntax looks out of date in particular with the use of XML QNames giving unconstrained syntax terms in the XML, causing problems with newer XML technology such as XSLT, DTDS and W3C XML Schema and other XML-constraining languages.
In order to deliver a modern RDF syntax, this paper reviews the requirements for RDF in two aspects - as a canonical transfer syntax and one for end-users, targeted at HTML. It evaluates previous RDF syntax proposals against these requirements and analyses the pros and cons of XML and non-XML syntaxes. The conclusion is a summary of syntax approaches for future standardisation activity.
Dave, 2003-05-15