Linked data and OSLC integrations

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OSLC integrations access tool artifacts by using linked data.

As defined by W3C, linked data follows these guidelines:
  • Use URIs as names for things
  • Use HTTP URIs so that people can look up those names
  • When someone looks up a URI, provide useful information by using the standards (RDF SPARQL)
  • Include links to other URIs so that they can discover more things.
In contrast to integrations that rely on mapping data types and synchronizing disparate databases, the use of linked data makes it possible to access data directly from another product. Linked data enables meaningful relationships and traceability across data linkages.

Tools can be enabled as OSLC consumers or providers, or both. OSLC consumers can retrieve data in the form of resources from tools that are enabled as OSLC providers. Many Rational® tools are OSLC enabled. This enablement means you can readily build your own integrations to Rational tools by using OSLC specifications, which are open, scalable, and extensible. OSLC-based integrations that are developed by Rational share common interface elements and administrative tasks.