LOD Surfer API: A web API for LOD exploration based on class-class relationships

Abstract

In life-sciences domain, Linked Open Data (LOD) is being increasingly used when publishing databases. For flexible use of such databases, we employ a method that uses federated query search along a path of class-class relationships. To demonstrate our strategy, we implemented a prototype system accessible via a web API as a preliminary trial. We have been collecting SPARQL Builder Metadata (SBM) that describe a data schema for each SPARQL endpoint. Using the SBM, we constructed a graph called a merged class graph based on the class-class relationships in LOD. Using this graph, our system can provide the information required to construct a federated search query, such as the SPARQL endpoints that include a class–class relationship, and paths of the class-class relationships between two classes.