RDFlike

RDFlike is a lightweight, RDF-inspired data modeling language designed for representing knowledge graphs in a human-readable form. It shares the triple-based core of the Resource Description Framework but aims to be easier to write and read, with a simplified syntax and practical tooling. RDFlike is used for modeling entities, relationships, and metadata in domains such as data integration, semantic queries, and linked data experiments.

In RDFlike, data is expressed as statements consisting of a subject, a predicate, and an object. The subject and predicate are terminated by a period; the object can be a resource (IRI or prefixed name) or a literal with optional datatype or language tag. RDFlike supports named graphs, allowing multiple contexts within a single dataset. It also provides support for blank nodes and common prefix definitions to shorten IRIs.

Semantics are designed to be compatible with RDF model-theoretic semantics, enabling RDFlike documents to be mapped to RDF graphs. The format emphasizes readability and ease of parsing by a simple line-based syntax, while maintaining interoperability with RDF serializations through export and import routines.

Tools and implementations include reference parsers and serializers in several languages, lightweight validators, and converters to Turtle, RDF/XML, and JSON-LD. RDFlike is used in experimentation, tutorials, and small-scale integration projects where a human-friendly syntax is preferred over more verbose RDF serializations.

RDFlike emerged as a community-driven effort to provide an approachable alternative to RDF without sacrificing compatibility with existing semantic web tooling. It remains an informal specification with active discussion and ongoing development. Related topics include RDF, Turtle, and SPARQL.