# Redland RDF Application Framework

## Dave Beckett
Institute for Learning and Research Technology
University of Bristol

## Overview

Redland is a library that provides a high-level interface for the Resource Description Framework (RDF) allowing the RDF graph to be parsed from XML, stored, queried and manipulated. Redland implements each of the RDF concepts in its own class via an object based API, reflected into the language APIs, currently Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and Tcl. Several classes providing functionality such as for parsers, storage are built as modules that can be loaded at compile or run-time as required.

This is a mature and stable RDF library developed since 2000 used in multiple projects. See the todo list and the FAQS for general information. A summary of the changes can be found in the NEWS file, detailed API changes in the release notes and file-by-file changes in the CVS ChangeLog.

Redland provides:

- A modular, object based library written in C
- Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and Tcl interfaces for manipulating the RDF graph and parts - Statements, Resources and Literals
- Parsers and Serializers for reading and writing RDF as RDF/XML, N-Triples and Turtle Terse RDF Triple Language syntax via the Raptor RDF Parser Toolkit.
- Storage for graphs in memory and on disk with Sleepycat/Berkeley DB, MySQL 3/4, AKT Triplestore library, files or URIs.
- Query APIs for the graph by Statement (triples) or by Nodes and Arcs
- Redland contexts for managing aggregating graphs and recording provenance.
- Statement Streams for construction, parsing, de/serialisation of graphs
- Start of query language support.
- No memory leaks.
- rdfproc RDF processor utility program

## Sources and Binaries

The packaged sources are available from http://www.redland.opensource.ac.uk/dist/source/ (master site) and also from the SourceForge site. There are nightly snapshots of the development version which is can also be browsed via CVSweb. Binary packages of redland and related libraries are available from the download area.

## License

This library is free software / open source software released under the LGPL or MPL licenses. See LICENSE.html for full details.

## Installation and Documentation

See INSTALL.html for general installation and configuration information and the language specific documents for installing the interfaces in the current available APIs: Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby or Tcl.

Further documentation is available in the documents area including the API reference document and detailed storage modules information.

## Mailing Lists

The Redland mailing lists discuss the development and use of Redland and Raptor as well as future plans and announcement of releases.

Copyright 2000-2004 Dave Beckett, Institute for Learning and Research Technology, University of Bristol