dcat:Resource
The dcat:Resource class is a general-purpose superclass in the DCAT vocabulary. In SDL, it is used to describe any discoverable resource — including datasets, systems, distributions, samples, or documentation — that may appear in a dcat:Catalog.
Definition
URI: http://www.w3.org/ns/dcat#Resource
A dcat:Resource is any resource that can be described in a catalog. It is a superclass of dcat:Dataset, dcat:Distribution,
dcat:DataService, and may be applied to arbitrary types to enable cataloging.
Usage in SDL
In SDL, dcat:Resource is used to:
- Enable cataloging of non-dataset entities (e.g., instruments, samples, documents)
- Provide a common metadata pattern for discoverable content
- Support mixed-type catalogs where all entries share core descriptive fields
Common SDL entities typed as dcat:Resource:
- ssn:System
- sosa:Sample
doco:Document- Custom workflow or platform instances
Common Properties
| Property | Description | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| dcterms:title | Human-readable title | No |
| dcterms:description | Description of the resource | Yes |
| dcterms:identifier | Persistent or unique identifier | No |
| dcterms:issued | Date issued or published | Yes |
| dcterms:modified | Last modified timestamp | Yes |
| dcat:keyword | Tagging and indexing terms | Yes |
| dcterms:language | Language of the resource | Yes |
| dcterms:license | License associated with the resource | Yes |
| dcterms:rights | Rights statement for the resource | Yes |
| dcterms:publisher | Entity responsible for making the resource | Yes |
| foaf:homepage | Link to additional documentation or webpage | Yes |
Composition
A resource in SDL typically has:
- At least one type (e.g., sosa:Sample, ssn:System)
- A set of
dcterms:*properties for labeling and tracking - Optional domain-specific properties depending on context
ex:licor8250a a ssn:System , dcat:Resource ;
dcterms:title "LI-COR 8250 Sensor Rig" ;
dcterms:identifier "rig-2023a" ;
dcterms:issued "2023-04-20"^^xsd:date .
Example — Sample as a Resource
ex:sample1 a sosa:Sample , dcat:Resource ;
dcterms:title "Sample 1 from Incubation A" ;
dcterms:identifier "sample-0001" ;
dcterms:issued "2024-06-01"^^xsd:date ;
sosa:isSampleOf ex:core1 .
This allows ex:sample1 to be indexed and retrieved in catalogs.
Related Classes
- dcat:Catalog — container of resources
- dcat:Dataset — subclass with additional structure
- prov:Entity — often used alongside for provenance
See Also
dcat:Resource provides a flexible foundation for entity discovery, making it a central building block in SDL's cataloging system.