This is one of the possible Use Cases.
1. Abstract
Use RIF as the format for publishing the (proof-theoretic) semantics of semantic web languages such as SKOS.
2. Status
Originally proposed by: DaveReynolds, tentative (based on http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-rif-wg/2005Dec/0019.html)
The RDF Semantics document (http://www.w3.org/TR/rdf-mt/) provides informative rules for RDFS.
The SKOS Core guide (http://www.w3.org/TR/2005/WD-swbp-skos-core-guide-20051102) provides a small number of inference rules to define SKOS semantics.
3. Links to Related Use Cases
- None immediately obvious.
4. Relationship to OWL/RDF Compatibility
Require rules which process RDF to provide additional entailments.
5. Examples of Rule Platforms Supporting this Use Case
- This isn't about implementation but about publication; though Jena does implement RDFS closure using rules (as do several other stores) and we have web applications which use SKOS with semantics implemented by such rules.
6. Benefits of Interchange
- Implementation neutrality - standards definer can publish rule-based expression of semantics in implementation-neutral form.
7. Requirements on the RIF
- Expression of deductive closure rules.
- Compability with base semantic web languages - RDF, OWL.
- An human legible syntax (in addition to the machine processable syntax)
8. Breakdown
8.1. Actors and their Goals
- Standards definer - wants to define a new semantic web vocabulary (V) and wants to specify semantics for some of the vocabulary elements with a low barrier to entry (ease of initial implementation). The definer may not be a formal standards body but may simply be some part of an organization which wants to publish a reusable vocabulary.
- Implementator - wants to implement a conformat process for V.
8.2. Main Sequence
Not interesting at this point.
9. Narratives
Not interesting at this point.
10. Commentary
SKOS is a public example of this though it only requires a very small number of simple rules.
It's not clear that this should be a use case but is included for now so that the option can be explicitly considered.