Data transformation using linked data ontologies

Abstract: Interoperability is a sought after quality in most software. One way to increase interoperability is to make transformation of data between formats easier. Several transformation tools exists and many utilizes the Extract, Transform, Load-process to perform the transformations. The transformation part of the process can be done in several different ways. Using a lookup table to arrange the underlying structure of data is one way which is commonly used. This study tests a method of transforming geodata using the semantic web technologies to create the underlying data structure. The Semantic Web is a concept of an internet which is readable by both man and machine, by giving data semantic meanings that computers can understand. A test is made where these technologies are applied in unison with a tool using the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process to transform geodata. The result is compared to a transformation done using the same ETL tool with a lookup table approach. The test of the method was successful. It is possible to use the semantic web technologies when transforming geodata in ETL tools. While the method tested works, it’s quite unwieldy and thus unlikely to replace current methods used in transformations. It could possibly be extended to utilize computer reasoning to a larger degree and used to determine the transformation parameters by itself. It could also be of use as a link between regular geodata and linked web geodata.