The Yin/Yang Web: XML Syntax and RDF Semantics

XML is the W3C standard document format for writing and exchanging information on the Web. RDF is the W3C standard model for describing the semantics and reasoning about information on the Web. Unfortunately, RDF and XML - although very close to each other - are based on two different paradigms. We argue that in order to lead the Semantic Web to its full potential, the syntax and the semantics of information needs to work together. To this end, we develop a model theory for the XML X/Query 1.0 and XPath 2.0 Data Model, which provides a unified model for both XML and RDF. This unified model can serve as the basis for Web applications that deal with both data and semantics.