DBIS

Linked Data has paved the way for a network of accessible, machine-readable data with semantic meaning. A product from this development is the SPARQL query language, which enables the querying of RDF graphs to extract desired information. To facilitate the integration of multiple RDF graphs and external services and query federation were introduced. However, while SPARQL allows for data extraction, its capabilities for transforming RDF data are limited to built-in functions. Although some RDF libraries, such as RDF4J or rdflib, support the implementation of custom SPARQL functions at the library level, the support for user-defined functions remains constrained.

In this context, WebAssembly presents a promising opportunity for Linked Data, as programs compiled to WebAssembly are portable while maintaining high performance. Furthermore, since WebAssembly programs can be seamlessly distributed using traditional web standards, they align well with the IRI-based architecture of RDF and SPARQL.

Therefore, programs compiled to WebAssembly may be the ideal candidate for supporting external user-defined functions in the SPARQL query language.

This integration could unlock new potential for SPARQL, enabling not only democratized data access but also advanced data processing directly within SPARQL query executions, facilitated by easily shareable and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) user-defined functions.