Can I use SPARQL to insert, delete, or update RDF data?
The current, standardized version of SPARQL deals only with retrieving selected data from RDF graphs. There is no equivalent of the SQL INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements. Most RDF-based applications handle new, changing, and stale data directly via the APIs provided by specific RDF storage systems. Alternatively, RDF data can exist virtually (i.e. created on-demand in response to a SPARQL query). Also, there are systems which create RDF data from other forms of markup, such as Wiki markup or the Atom Syndication Format. However, there is significant active work going on to extend SPARQL to support update operations. See the SPARQL extension wiki page dealing with update for more details. This feature is certainly one of the facilities frequently asked for in relation to a possible SPARQL “Next” version.
The current, standardized version of SPARQL deals only with retrieving selected data from RDF graphs. There is no equivalent of the SQL INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements. Most RDF-based applications handle new, changing, and stale data directly via the APIs provided by specific RDF storage systems. Alternatively, RDF data can exist virtually (i.e. created on-demand in response to a SPARQL query). Also, there are systems which create RDF data from other forms of markup, such as Wiki markup or the Atom Syndication Format. However, there is indeed demand to cover this functionality, too. The SPARQL Working Group is currently active in developing a new version of SPARQL, and this will include these facilities, too. A first, draft version of the SPARQL 1.1 Update document is already available.
