RDF, OWL and XSL-FO

NEO1976 · August 22nd, 2006, 09:49 AM

Hallo all,

can anybody tell me if there is a relationship between RDF and XSL-FO? I am quite new to semantic XML language like RDF and OWL and I want to know if it is worth to use RDF with XSL-FO or I don't know if Resource Description Framework does the same job as XSL-FO does. I just need a brief explanation either as the relationship between RDF and XSL-FO or a comparison.

Thanks a lot. I know I am asking a really crazy question.

Your attitude determines your altitude

mhkay · August 22nd, 2006, 09:57 AM

As far as I can see RDF and XSL-FO are totally related. One is concerned with abstract modelling of information, the other is concerned with concrete two-dimensional rendition of information.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

mhkay · August 22nd, 2006, 09:57 AM

Whoops, I meant "totally unrelated". Typing too fast.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

NEO1976 · August 23rd, 2006, 03:12 AM

Thanks for your reply. I have another question. Is it feasible to use them together? I know my question seems quite silly but my Chef needs a brief document about these technologies before we have begun our big XSL-FO project.

Your attitude determines your altitude

mhkay · August 23rd, 2006, 04:08 AM

Yes, there's no reason why you can't use them together.

Except that it worries my slightly that you're proposing to make architectural choices about the design of your application with such a weak understanding of the roles of the component technologies. Are you sure you are ready to make decisions without doing a lot more learning first?

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

NEO1976 · August 23rd, 2006, 04:16 AM

Well first of all I have to learn how semantic web functions. I have already have FO background I don't have any worries about that but my chef is quite curious about the new technologies and we are also aiming to buy Altova XML Suite 2006. He has seen that it is possible to write onthologies with this suite and he asked me if they are related to each other. I am now searching for an RDF/OWL Book. It would have been great if you could have advised me a good reference book.

Your attitude determines your altitude

mhkay · August 23rd, 2006, 04:23 AM

I'm no expert in RDF/OWL, if I knew a good book I'd be happy to recommend it.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference