OWL DL Semantics

The OWL DL descriptions, data ranges, properties, individuals and data values syntax and semantics are summarized in the first table below, OWL DL axioms and facts are summarized in the second table below. As we can see, OWL DL is the description logic SHOIN with support of data values, data types and datatype properties, i.e., SHOIN(D), but since OWL is based on RDF(S), the terminology slightly differs. A concept from DL is referred to as a class in OWL and a role from DL is referred to as a property in OWL. For description of OWL ontology or knowledge base, the DL syntax can be used. There is an "abstract" LISP-like syntax defined that is easier to write in ASCII character set (see also the first and the second table below). Since OWL is syntactically embedded into RDF, all of the RDF serializations can be used. RDF/XML is the normative syntax and should be used to exchange information between systems.

OWL DL descriptions, data ranges, properties, individuals and data values syntax and semantics

OWL DL axioms and facts