Supporting model-based construction of semantic-enabled Web applications

Semantic annotation of Web content is in the core of the current semantic Web activity. The operationalization of the semantic Web raises the challenge on how to systematically integrate semantic annotations into generated Web application pages. In this paper, we present VizCo, a tool for systematically integrating RDF based semantically enriched application domain models into the process of setting up dynamically generated Web application user interfaces and supporting their evolution. The form-based Web pages are annotated based on the underlying domain model. Combined with further mapping tools, VizCo is used in our Web application development framework for coupling the domain model views and, indirectly, the underlying application data with other Web application components, especially with elements of the user interface. In contrast to a direct coupling with the application data an additional semantic layer is introduced. We follow a pragmatic approach that utilizes domain information extracted from application schemata and data as a starting point. Both the domain model and its coupling to the data source can be manually refined and extended. The couplings are dynamically translated into bi-directional data bindings at runtime.