How to get started with RDF? (Particularly for relational database developers?)

Question

I am putting together a catalog (catalogs by nature are just metadata), and so rather than using a database, I am using an RDF store and SPARQL processor to compile the data. I

Answer 1

Graphity PHP version is an object-oriented framework that combines JAX-RS-style RESTful API with Jena-style RDF API, and is based solely on W3C standards. Disclaimer: I am one of the developers.

It's easiest to use with a remote RDF cloud-store like Dydra.

Answer 2

You might want to have a look at the LOD2 stack we're developing. Further background on the phases (from modeling to publishing) can be found in the Linked Data Life Cycles.

Answer 3

You might want to have a look at the Sesame Windows Client (SWC) (disclaimer: I am one of its developers).

SWC is a graphical desktop app (in .Net) for connecting with a Sesame server (or any SPARQL endpoint), but it also offers options to just create a local triplestore on the fly (without the need for a server). IMHO it's a useful tool for "getting started with RDF".

Answer 4

I've given a couple of talks on this subject titled Everyday Tools for the Semantic Web Developer which cover a variety of useful tools some of which I developed and others from the open source community.

Answer 5

I would strongly recommend downloading and installing Top Braid Composer

It has loads of stuff to make Semantic Web development easier and there is a free edition.