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This is Revision: 1.14 $ Date: 2012-03-19 13:31:18 $
The mission of the Linked Data Platform (LDP) Working Group is to produce a W3C Recommendation for RESTful application integration patterns using read/write Linked Data. This work will benefit both small-scale in-browser applications (WebApps) and large-scale Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) efforts. It will complement SPARQL and will be compatible with standards for publishing Linked Data, bringing the data integration features of RDF to RESTful, data-oriented software development.
| Start Date | 1 June, 2012 |
|---|---|
| End date | 1 June, 2014 |
| Confidentiality | Proceedings are public |
| Chairs | @@@ TBD @@@ TBD |
| Staff Contact |
@@@ TBD (0.4 FTE total, two people) |
| Teleconference Schedule | One 60-90 minute call per week, plus task force calls as necessary |
| Face-to-Face Meetings | Three expected, although the chairs may schedule or cancel
meetings as needed to help the group reach its goals. These
meetings will use teleconferencing facilities, but effective
participation generally requires attending in person, so
participants should budget for travel. |
The basic approach of combining REST and RDF has been proposed and explored for some time [1][2][3][4], but its use has only recently been reported in industry [5]. Within W3C, the SPARQL Working Group developed a RESTful protocol for accessing data in SPARQL Graph Stores, and the group discussed its wider applicability. Last December, the participants Linked Enterprise Data Patterns Workshop expressed general support for the creation of a Working Group to define a way to use REST with RDF for application integration.
The basic technique here is to expose application data objects ("resources") on the Web, allowing authorized clients to see and modify object state using HTTP operations (GET, PUT, etc) with an RDF data format. This RESTful approach leverages existing Web technology, including caching, linking, and indexing, and the use of RDF facilitates integration of data across systems and applications. This approach dovetails with SPARQL and is positioned for developers who want more direct access to the application data.
The Linked Data Platform is envisioned as an enterprise-ready collection of standard techniques and services based on REST and the W3C Semantic Web stack. Simple LDP applications can be developed and deployed using only RDF with minor extensions to an existing HTTP infrastructure. More extensive LDP applications can be built using other elements of the stack, including RDFS, SPARQL, OWL, RIF, and Prov. Although expertise in these specialized elements may be helpful, it is not necessary for participation in this group and should not be required for using the Linked Data Platform.
The starting point for this group is [the potential submission discussed at the LEDP Workshop, expected to be similar to Basic Profile for Linked Data]. Using this document and any similar contributions from Working Group participants, the group is to produce one or more W3C Recommendations which define a RESTful way to use read/write Linked Data, suitable for use in application integration and the construction of open systems.
The group must also produce supporting materials, such as a description of uses cases, a list of requirements, and a test suite and/or validation tools to help ensure interoperability and correct implementation.
Parts of this work may overlap with general Linked Data patterns and best practice. When they do, the group must take special care to coordinate with other stakeholders who might not otherwise be interested in the group's work. For example, the group may give advice on how to design URIs for long-term stability, as needed for its use cases. This issue is also in scope for the Government Linked Data (GLD) Working Group which is producing Best Practices advice for governments publishing Linked Data. On issues like this, the two groups must coordinate to make sure their advice is compatible.
The Working Group will not normatively specify solutions for access control and authentication for Linked Data. However the Working Group will identify, based on a set of real world use cases, requirements for necessary authentication and authorization technologies.
To help explain the work expected of the group, here is a list of practical issues, many of which are addressed in [@@@ the expected submission] that can arise in trying to use RDF and REST for application integration. These issues and ones like them should be discussed by the group and guidance provided in the delivered Recommendation when practical.
Answering these question may involve such work as:
The group will document significant deviations from this schedule on its home page.
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-05 | Start | Group Launch, First Teleconferences |
| 2012-06 | UCR | Release initial lists of proposed Use Cases and Requirements |
| 2012-09 | F2F1 | Face-to-face meeting |
| 2012-10 | WD1 | First public Working Drafts published |
| 2013-01 | WD2 | Second public Working Drafts published |
| 2013-03 | F2F2 | Face-to-face meeting |
| 2013-05 | LCWD | Last Call Working Drafts published |
| 2012-06 | F2F3 | Face-to-face meeting, if needed |
| 2013-10 | CR | Candidate Recommendation published |
| 2014-01 | PR | Proposed Recommendation published |
| 2014-03 | REC | Recommendation published |
In general, people participate in this group as representatives of W3C member organizations. At least one representative from each participating organization is expected to devote significant time to this effort (about one day per week, or more, depending on duties), to accept and complete appropriate action items on a timely basis, and to travel to face-to-face meetings, as scheduled by the chairs in consultation with the group.
On a case-by-case basis, using the invited expert process, people may be allowed to participate as individuals, not representing an organization.
To be successful, the Working Group is expected to have between ten and thirty active participants for its duration.
Participants are reminded of the Good Standing requirements of the W3C Process.
This group primarily conducts its work on the mailing list public-ldp-wg@w3.org (public archives). The mailing list member-ldp-wg@w3.org (W3C member-access-only archives) may be used for administrative purposes, such as travel planning.
Information about the group (deliverables, participants, face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, etc.) will be available from the group's home page.
As explained in the Process Document (section 3.3), this group will seek to make decisions when there is consensus. When the Chair puts a question and observes dissent, after due consideration of different opinions, the Chair should record a decision (possibly after a formal vote) and any objections, and move on.
This Working Group operates under the W3C Patent Policy (5 February 2004 Version). To promote the widest adoption of Web standards, W3C seeks to issue Recommendations that can be implemented, according to this policy, on a Royalty-Free basis.
For more information about disclosure obligations for this group, please see the W3C Patent Policy Implementation.
This charter for the Linked Data Platform Working Group has been created according to section 6.2 of the Process Document. In the event of a conflict between this document or the provisions of any charter and the W3C Process, the W3C Process shall take precedence.
Copyright© 2012 W3C ® (MIT , ERCIM , Keio), All Rights Reserved.
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