rdf--benja: Use RDF as the structure for Fenfire

Author: Benja Fallenstein
Date: 2003-02-17
Revision: 1.2
Last-Modified:2003-02-26
Type:Architecture
Scope:Major
Status: Accepted

Because of the patent troubles, we are moving away from zzstructure. This PEG proposes to use RDF as the basis of Gzz's successor, called Fenfire, and outlines a plan for the move.

Plan

We will use the Jena API for RDF, at least initially. Jena is on the complex-but-powerful side; see the Jena tutorial. It has readers and writers for both RDF/XML and N-Triples, two serialization syntaxes for RDF. Many Java projects use it, so it seems like a good place to start. After we have some experience with Jena, we will decide whether we can keep it, will need to improve it, or will need to switch.

Things that need to be converted are:

Xupdf depends on Alph; otherwise, we can parallelize pretty well. The client will start as a generic RDF editor with Alph support optional, so we can add that later; PP can start with simple literals and start using Alph later. Once Storm is ready, Xupdf will switch to it, and it'll be an option for PP and the client.

I am interested in tackling the RDF editor (client) first, which I want to call the Fenfire Loom; Tuomas wants to convert PP and xupdf. So let's push both ways for now, and collaborate on the XML format for media/ at the same time.

Can we do this in the next two weeks, along with splitting the project? If so, I suggest that we do this, postponing the Storm conversion till after that date.

- Benja