What is Semantic web?
The semantic web is a popular term that was coined by one Tim Berners-Lee referring to a mesh of data connected in such a way that it is easily processed by machines rather than humans. In the recent past, with the increase in big data, huge sets of data are usually available and processing of these sets of data by humans is impossible, if not cumbersome. Machines have taken over the processing of the data hence highlighting the need to have the data arranged, connected, and sorted in a manner that machines find the data easy to process. The semantic web is more or less an extension of the World Wide Web and provides the internet unstructured web documents with a means to conversion into structured and accessible web information. The goal behind the semantic web technology is to enable easier sorting of information, improve the efficiency of available information and achieving higher levels of information accessibility.
The semantic web, however, is widely seen as a concept for the future, because its core objectives are to have machines process all the data available. This is not possible as online data is meant for humans and it is created for human understanding, and therefore, the exclusive use of machines to process the data is still not possible in this day and age. However, the framework is still useful and has enhanced the use of the World Wide Web as far as accessibility of information is concerned. Additionally, for the machines to offer the best service as regards to the processing of the massive quantities of data, the sources of the data need to be semantically structured, a process that is quite difficult and that is presenting the main challenge from obtaining the maximum benefits from the concept of the semantic web.
Systematic Web
The systematic web is a relatively new term that has not yet gained mainstream recognition and usage because it alludes to future concepts. The systematic web also referred to as web 2.0, is a concept that envisions the future of the World Wide Web. In this vision, the web is expected to evolve and become more organized and structured. This means that the systematic web will have less chaos and less disorganization that are the hallmark of the present World Wide Web.
Semantic web cloud computing
Cloud computing technologies have been on the increase in the recent years with an ever-increasing list of cloud computing providers, applications and services being offered through the various available cloud computing platforms. With the growth of the semantic web, which will ultimately lead to a radical change in the information on the World Wide Web, it is expected that the growth of the cloud computing will reflect the shift as well. Cloud computing, basically, advocates for homogeneity of platforms to enable users sharing resources to do just that. It follows, therefore, that if the data and information sources have a shift in the framework as the semantic web seeks to achieve, then all the firms through their software that need to access the cloud computing services will need to conform to the new changes to avoid any complications.
In the recent past, heterogeneity, as well as issues of portability, have been major challenges in the cloud computing arena. Rolling out cloud computing services often needs organizations to invest massively in new technology before they can adopt the technology. However, it is expected that the semantic web will boost the cloud computing services going forward due to the concept of achieving better organization, reducing the chaos and promoting homogeneity in the data, information and services.
Application of semantic web
The semantic web seeks to enable computers to be able to independently read web content. To enable the machines to read the data that is meant for humans, metadata is added to the information. The metadata is, basically, an extension of the normal World Wide Web that will enable the computers to understand information such as images on the internet. Through this metadata, the computers are able to sieve through the data and create connections and relationships between the data that would otherwise have been impossible without the addition of the metadata.
Semantic web database
While databases already exist in the World Wide Web, the evolution of the web into the semantic web will necessitate the need to develop semantic web databases that can hold the structured data for easy retrieval and accessibility. Resource Description Framework (RDF) is the most preferred database model for the semantic web proponents that is being used to develop the required databases. The RDF is based on the concept of commonality and minimal language components. The idea behind the databases is to develop an easy language that is able to execute commands and process large quantities of semantic web data and information. While the basic concepts of semantic web databases are largely understood, the concepts have not been widely used and embraced and, therefore, new and unforeseen challenges are expected as more people shift towards the development of software and databases to utilize the semantic web.
For students in the Information technology and Computer Science related fields, these new concepts and technologies can prove to be difficult owing to the minimal available literature and information on the topics. The question of ‘How will I complete my computing homework?’ will be common among the students especially when they cannot seem to find the relevant information. However, it is okay to seek online expert help for guidance on these new and exciting topics.