[DL] [fix] ontop- v1.8 now available (Java framework for ontology based data access)

[Rodriguez-Muro Mariano (A)]

We are happy to announce the availability of 

                               -ontop- v1.8

a Java framework to query RDBMS using SPARQL over RDF(s) and OWL ontologies. Get 
it at:

	                http://ontop.inf.unibz.it

If you are interested in virtual RDF graphs, R2RML mappings and/or RDFS/OWL2QL
reasoning and RDBMs, then -ontop- is for you. The system implements the cutting edge
SPARQL-to-SQL and query optimisation techniques that allow it to answer SPARQL
queries using SQL databases with great performance.

With -ontop-, you don't need to move your data from your DB to enjoy the
benefits of the RDF data model, the SPARQL query language or RDF/OWL2QL
inference. There is no need for expensive ETL or forward/backward chaining
either.

The project went through a large refactoring (its still ongoing) and this is
our most stable release to the date. Moreover, as always, we included many new
features. The highlights of this new release include:

 * SOURCE CODE IS NOW AVAILABLE (See the new license terms)
 * Improved mapping syntax (see full changelog)
 * New command line tools to query, automatically generate mappings, generate 
   RDF/OWL from mappings
 * Faster SQL translation
 * Improved the SQL queries generated by Quest by avoiding some operations 
   when unnecessary (e.g., casting), and placing optimally the JOIN conditions 
   in the SQL query. 
 * Major restructuring of code for performance and clarity of the API (this is
   still ongoing)
 * Many important bugfixes for CONSTRUCT, ASK and DESCRIBE queries
 * -ontopPro- is now compatible with Protege 4.3
 * Many bug fixes
 
Cheers,
The -ontop- development team