From RDF Graph Validation to RDF Dataset Validation with SHACL-DS

Knowledge Graphs; RDF Dataset Validation; SHACL; AS graph; Constraint language; Declarative constraints; Knowledge graphs; Named graphs; Prototype implementations; RDF dataset validation; RDF graph; Shape constraint language; Shape constraints; Theoretical Computer Science; Computer Science (all)

Abstract :

[en] The Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL) is the W3C Recommendation for validating a single RDF graph. This makes SHACL inadequate for validating data across (named) graphs in an RDF dataset. Existing workarounds, such as graph unions or bespoke preprocessing, either collapse the RDF dataset structure or compromise the declarative nature of SHACL validation. In the former, we lose track of where triples come from; in the latter, knowledge is hidden in the code, and the constraints are not self-contained nor fully declarative. We present SHACL-DS to address this problem. SHACL-DS proposes a vocabulary and an algorithm on top of SHACL for RDF dataset validation. SHACL-DS introduces the concepts of Shapes Datasets, Target Graph Declarations, and Target Graph Combinations, enabling declarative constraints to operate across multiple graphs in an RDF dataset. SHACL-DS also defines the behaviour of SPARQL-based constraints for validating RDF datasets. In this paper, we formalize SHACL-DS and provide a prototype implementation.

Disciplines :

Computer science

Author, co-author :

Chiem Dao, Davan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Montefiore Institute of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Debruyne, Christophe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Montefiore Institute of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Language :

English

Title :

From RDF Graph Validation to RDF Dataset Validation with SHACL-DS

Publication date :

2026

Event name :

The Semantic Web - 23rd European Semantic Web Conference, ESWC 2026

Event place :

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Event date :

10-05-2026 => 14-05-2026

Event number :

Audience :

International

Main work title :

The Semantic Web - 23rd European Semantic Web Conference, ESWC 2026, Proceedings

Editor :

Acosta, Maribel

Publisher :

Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

ISBN/EAN :

978-3-03-225155-8

Peer review/Selection committee :

Peer reviewed

Additional URL :

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-032-25156-5_12

Funders :

metaphacts

Available on ORBi :

since 22 September 2026

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