[RDF] HTML forms for RDF data manipulation

[Jonas Liljegren]

I have thought about how to manipulate RDF data usin HTML forms.

The current system only allows creation of statements by encoding them
in fields and hidden fields.

What I want to do is to have control over how the existing data in
controlled by the form data.

The schema should be used for determining the expected properties for
a resource, based on the class. And for validating the value of a
resource properties.

But, apart from that, we want to explain the logic of a certain widget
in a form. Two widgets could possible manipulate the sama data, but in
diffrent ways.


The specific problem I wanted to solve was to have a list of
checkboxes coupled to a container.  Each checkd box will place the
corresponding resource in the container.  If the container exist, it
will be cleared from resources not among the checked boxes.  If no
boxes is checked, the container will be completely removed along with
the property that points at it.

This logic will be encoded by a 'field type' resource:

:fa a :Field;
    :field_type :Container;
    :trim_value :truth;
    :connection daml:unionOf;
    :remove_if_empty :truth.

Something like that.  The connection explains how the widget is
coupled to the resource that is suppouesd to be modified.

The form will specify:
  a. The field resorce abouve
  b. The resource having this proerty
  c. The availible values in the form


For a spelled out list of checkboxes, 'a' and 'b' will be repeated for
each availible value.


This is my preliminary thought.  I will try this tomorrow.


-- 
/ Jonas Liljegren

The Wraf project http://www.uxn.nu/wraf/
Sponsored by http://www.rit.se/