From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)

Introduction to RDF

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a W3C standard for describing Web resources, such as the title, author, modification date, content, and copyright information of a Web page.

What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

HTML
XHTML
XML
XML Namespaces

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

What is RDF?

RDF stands for Resource Description Framework
RDF is a framework for describing resources on the web
RDF provides a model for data, and a syntax so that independent parties can exchange and use it
RDF is designed to be read and understood by computers
RDF is not designed for being displayed to people
RDF is written in XML
RDF is a part of the W3C's Semantic Web Activity
RDF is a W3C Recommendation

RDF - Examples of Use

Describing properties for shopping items, such as price and availability
Describing time schedules for web events
Describing information about web pages, such as content, author, created and modified date
Describing content and rating for web pictures
Describing content for search engines
Describing electronic libraries

RDF is Designed to be Read by Computers

RDF was designed to provide a common way to describe information so it can be read and understood by computer applications.

RDF descriptions are not designed to be displayed on the web.

RDF is Written in XML

RDF documents are written in XML. The XML language used by RDF is called RDF/XML.

By using XML, RDF information can easily be exchanged between different types of computers using different types of operating systems and application languages.

RDF and "The Semantic Web"

The RDF language is a part of the W3C's Semantic Web Activity. W3C's "Semantic Web Vision" is a future where:

Web information has exact meaning
Web information can be understood and processed by computers
Computers can integrate information from the web

RDF is a W3C Recommendation

RDF became a W3C Recommendation 10. February 2004.

To read more about the RDF activities at W3C, please read our W3C tutorial.