SPARQL
SPARQL (SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language) is a standardized query language and protocol for retrieving and manipulating data stored in Resource Description Framework (RDF) format. It enables developers to query semantic data across distributed systems, supporting operations like SELECT, CONSTRUCT, ASK, and DESCRIBE to extract information from linked data sources. SPARQL is widely used in semantic web applications, knowledge graphs, and data integration projects.
Developers should learn SPARQL when working with semantic web technologies, RDF databases (e.g., Apache Jena, Virtuoso), or knowledge graphs (e.g., in AI or data science contexts) to efficiently query structured, linked data. It is essential for use cases such as data integration across heterogeneous sources, building intelligent applications with semantic reasoning, or implementing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles in research and enterprise settings.