NOTE: This paper and the other pages on this web site are preserved here mainly for historical reasons. They have been prepared in the years 2000 and 2001, when the specifications of RDF and RDFS were still somewhat tentative. Not all of the links work anymore. However, this document may still provide you with some insight into the semantics of RDF -- though beware, the official model theory is where you should look for definitive answers to your questions (though, admittedly, the answers to your questions may not be found there too easily... ;) [Wolfram Conen, April 2008]
Logical Interpretations of RDFS - A Compatibility Guide
This paper compares the semantics (or stated more precisely: an
interpretation of the intended semantics) of RDF and RDFS (as
previously captured in [Logical
Interpretation of RDF]) with the semantics defined by the new
upcoming RDF Model Theory (see [Version of
05-11-2001-12:00-GMT] or for for the lastest version [Editors
Draft]). While the RDF Model Theory Draft (MT) relies on seT
theory, we interpret the MT utilizing a horn subset of first order
logic. On one hand, this may facilitate comprehensibility, on the
other hand it may lead more directly to verifiable
implementations. The comparison clearly demonstrates the differences
between both interpretations and discusses some consequence of the
non-backward compatible treatment of range/domain properties. It may
thus help active developers to understand the consequences of the
changes for existing RDF schemata and to adapt their RDF/RDFS
applications accordingly where possible.