MIRA: A Model-Driven Framework for Semantic Interfaces for Web Applications

Abstract

Abstract. A currently recognized barrier for the wider adoption and dissemination of Semantic Web technologies is the absence of suitable interfaces and tools to allow suitable access by end-users. In a wider context, it has also been recognized that modern day interfaces must deal with a large number of heterogeneity factors, such as varying user profiles and runtime hardware and software platforms. This paper presents MIRA, a framework for defining and implementing Semantic Interfaces for Web applications, including those on the Semantic Web. A Semantic Interface is defined as being one capable of understanding and adapting to the data it presents and captures, and its schema, if present. Moreover, the interface must also be able to adapt to its context of usethe device being used, any available information about its user, network conditions, and so on. Using a model-driven approach, MIRA allows developers to define such interfaces, and generates code that can run on clients, servers or both. We have carried out a qualitative evaluation that shows that MIRA does indeed provide a better process for developers, without imposing any significant performance overhead.

Jekyll RDF: Template-Based Linked Data Publication with Minimized Effort and Maximum Scalability

“…The template based approach is similar to our previous work with LESS and the OntoWiki Site Extension [5,10,9]. However, the previous work as well as the application frameworks presented in [14,7] relies on a complex dynamic data management back-end and SPARQL endpoint. With Jekyll RDF we present a static approach to maximize the scalability as it is independent of the availability of dynamic components at runtime.…”

“…In contrast to the related work of LD-R and MIRA [14,7] and Gatsby we provide a template based approach that aims at users without software developing experience. With the JML we minimize the effort of publishing Linked Data without the need to write a single line of programming code.…”

“…In summary, the related work of LD-R and MIRA [14,7] as well as complex frameworks like Gatsby aim at programmers and software engineers. The previous work of LESS and the OntoWiki Site Extension [5,10,9] provides a template based approach.…”

“…The previous work of LESS and the OntoWiki Site Extension [5,10,9] provides a template based approach. But LESS and OntoWiki Site Extension as well as the application frameworks presented in [14,7] rely on a server side complex dynamic data management system. In this paper, our aim is to provide a static approach to maximize the scalability while minimizing the effort by following a templated based approach that can be used without programming knowledge.…”

“…With this framework it is possible to reuse existing components and compose new dynamic web interfaces. A similar approach to build Semantic Interfaces for Web Applications is presented with the MIRA framework [7]. It defines an abstract interface definition that composes elements to form a hierarchy of widgets.…”