A visual modeling approach for the Semantic Web Rule Language

Although the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) is not a W3C standard, it is widely used for semantic web-based projects as well as for innovative rule-based applications. Thereby, it is used to infer new knowledge from a given fact base. Today, SWRL rules are developed and managed by technical experts in text-based editors using software applications such as the Stanford Protégé toolkit. In this paper we present a visual approach which allows users to analyse and modify SWRL rules. By building upon a visual modeling language, the approach includes validation mechanisms and layouting algorithms for visually representing new as well as existing rules. The approach further provides import and export interfaces to common SWRL exchange formats. In this way, its compatibility with widely-used reasoners and semantic web platforms is guaranteed. For ensuring its feasibility, the approach has been prototypically realized using the SeMFIS platform and evaluated using the sample rules as provided in the SWRL specification.