SPARQL is a query language used for querying and manipulating data stored in Resource Description Framework (RDF) format. When working with RDF data, having the right SPARQL editor can greatly enhance your productivity. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the popular SPARQL editors available, each offering unique features and functionalities.
The post doesn't have the SPARQL editors that are not actively maintained to ensure you have access to tools that align with the current standards and you can potentially get support from the developer. Let us know in the comments if we've overlooked a SPARQL editor or an important feature for the comparison.
Each editor has a brief description, a list of major supported features, and a table with the homepage, supported OSes and price. Hope it helps ;)
- YASGUI (Yet Another SPARQL UI)
YASGUI stands out as a lightweight, web-based SPARQL editor. It provides a straightforward interface for creating and executing SPARQL queries directly from your browser.
Major features include:
- syntax and error highlighting for SPARQL 1.1,
- completion suggestions for prefixed names based on the Linked Open Vocabularies API, and SPARQL variables,
- querying remote SPARQL endpoints,
- visualisation of query results utilizing several plugins, such as the Geo plugin from the screenshot below.
As a distinguishing feature, it allows a user to share a SPARQL query with a URL which embeds the query and the selected query result visualisation.
YASGUI is great as a playground to query public SPARQL endpoints, it certainly lacks an integrated development environment which the next ones in the list can provide.
2. RDF and SPARQL Plugin for JetBrains IDEs
Designed for JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm, it offers a comprehensive set of productivity features to create, manage and execute SPARQL queries. In addition to that it adds support for RDF 1.2 formats, ShExC 2.1 language, and SHACL validation.
Major features include:
- syntax and error highlighting for SPARQL 1.2,
- completion suggestions for prefix declarations based on prefix.cc, SPARQL variables, and syntax clauses,
- completion suggestions for prefixed names based on locally indexed RDF Schema/OWL ontologies and the Linked Open Vocabularies API as the fallback option,
- quick documentation based on the local index of RDF Schema/OWL ontologies,
- querying remote SPARQL endpoints as well as local RDF files one by one or grouped into an RDF dataset,
- fetching and uploading RDF data over SPARQL 1.2 Graph Store HTTP Protocol.
As a distinguishing feature, it has integrations with popular RDF-compatible storages, such as Stardog, Ontotext GraphDB and RDFox, to automatically fetch available SPARQL endpoints.
3. Linked Data Extension for Visual Studio Code
A Visual Studio Code plugin that brings several Linked Data-related functionalities to a popular integrated development environment. It extends the Stardog/RDF Languages Extension Pack plugin.
Major features include:
- syntax and error highlighting for SPARQL 1.1,
- completion suggestions for SPARQL variables,
- querying local RDF files by specifying the file path above a SPARQL query.
It provides a basic set of features to work with SPARQL 1.1 and visualise the query results.
4. RDFox Syntax Highlighting for Visual Studio Code
This Visual Studio Code plugin enhances the IDE's capabilities by providing syntax highlighting specifically tailored for RDFox. It also extends the Stardog/RDF Languages Extension Pack plugin as the one before.
Major features include:
- syntax and error highlighting for SPARQL 1.1,
- completion suggestions for SPARQL variables, and SPARQL function names.
Although it doesn't support SPARQL query execution, but it enables you to open a query in the RDFox Web Console. As a distinguishing feature, it allows a user to edit Datalog rules and RDFox shell scripts.
5. SPARQL Notebook for Visual Studio Code
Another Visual Studio Code plugin, SPARQL Notebook, offers a unique interactive notebook-style environment for developing and executing SPARQL queries. It provides a versatile and dynamic way to work with RDF data directly within the IDE.
Major features include:
- syntax and error highlighting for SPARQL 1.1 Query, thanks to the Stardog/RDF Languages Extension Pack plugin,
- completion suggestions for SPARQL variables,
- querying a remote SPARQL endpoint or a local RDF file.
As a distinguishing feature, it allows a user to wrap SPARQL queries into a notebook and provide textual descriptions along the query and query results.
6. SPARQL Mode for Emacs
A dedicated mode for Emacs, this extension provides an environment for SPARQL query development within the Emacs text editor.
Major features include:
- syntax highlighting for SPARQL 1.1,
- completion suggestions for prefix declarations based on prefix.cc,
- querying remote SPARQL endpoints.
Obviously, as distinguishing feature, it enables support of SPARQL language in Emacs.
Conclusion
Choosing the best SPARQL editor depends on your preferences, workflow, and development environment. Web-based editors like YASGUI are convenient for quick tasks, while plugins for text editors and IDEs cater to developers who prefer an integrated experience. Consider your specific needs and the features offered by each actively maintained editor to find the one that best aligns with your workflow and enhances your efficiency in working with RDF data.
If you're interested in trying it out the RDF and SPARQL plugin for JetBrains IDEs, you can download it from the JetBrains Marketplace or install it directly from the Plugins section of your IDE.