A Visual Modeling Approach for the Semantic Web Rule Language

Submitted by Hans-Georg Fill on 09/19/2018 - 06:53

Tracking #: 2023-3236

Authors: 
Benedikt Pittl
Hans-Georg Fill

Responsible editor: 
Thomas Lukasiewicz

Submission type: 
Full Paper
Abstract: 
Although the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) is not a W3C standard, it is widely used for semantic web-based projects as well as for innovative rule-based applications. Thereby, it is used to infer new knowledge from a given fact base. Today, SWRL rules are developed and managed by technical experts in text-based editors using software applications such as the Stanford Protégé toolkit. In this paper we present a visual approach which allows users to analyse and modify SWRL rules. By building upon a visual modeling language, the approach includes validation mechanisms and layouting algorithms for visually representing new as well as existing rules. The approach further provides import and export interfaces to common SWRL exchange formats. In this way, its compatibility with widely-used reasoners and semantic web platforms is guaranteed. For ensuring its feasibility, the approach has been prototypically realized using the SeMFIS platform and evaluated using the sample rules as provided in the SWRL specification.
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Previous Version: 
A Visual Modeling Approach for the Semantic Web Rule Language
Tags: 
Reviewed

Decision/Status: 
Accept

Solicited Reviews:
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Review #1
By Carsten Keßler submitted on 01/Nov/2018
Suggestion:
Accept
Review Comment:

The paper has improved significantly by focusing on the technical part and staying away from any claims about usability without actually proving it. The changes based on the 2nd review have also helped to improve the paper and embed it better in the existing literature. I hope that the authors will follow up with a publication on the usability, including a corresponding test with actual users. If they are able to show that this approach does make it easier for domain experts to work with SWRL rules, that would be a substantial step forward.

Review #2
Anonymous submitted on 01/Nov/2018
Suggestion:
Accept
Review Comment:

This version of the work addresses numerous deficiencies of the original paper. The authors went to significant lengths to improve understanding and clarity of their work and related to previous work on visual rule representations.

The revised version removes some overstatements as to position of SWRL within semantic rule-based knowledge representation and reasoning approaches.

The authors compare functionality of their approach with these of the commercial implementations of TopBraid TopQuadrant and AllegroGraph. Finally, the reason for using Formalism for Describing ADOxx Meta Models and Models is better justified.

The originality of the paper stays the same but significance of the results, and quality of writing improved.

Therefore, I am recommending to accept the paper.