This course introduces the fundamentals of SPARQL, the query language for RDF data. Designed for learners new to querying graph-based data, it covers the essential building blocks needed to retrieve structured information in RDF.

You’ll begin by learning the structure of SPARQL queries, including how to define triple patterns and use SELECT statements to extract data. The course then explores how to refine queries using filters and Boolean logic, enabling more precise control over results.

In the second part, you’ll work with SPARQL functions, learning how to operate on literals (such as strings and numbers) and RDF terms (like IRIs and blank nodes). These functions allow you to transform and analyze data directly within your queries.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to write and understand basic SPARQL queries and apply them to explore and validate RDF data effectively. 

If you're eager to go further, our upcoming Advanced SPARQL course will cover powerful features like subqueries, nested patterns, and update operations—tools that allow you to express even more complex logic and manipulate RDF data directly. But before diving into those advanced topics, we encourage you to experiment on your own. Try writing your own queries, exploring public SPARQL endpoints, and getting comfortable with the basics. The best way to deepen your understanding is through hands-on practice and curiosity-driven exploration.

⌨️ This course contains interactive exercises in our web-based RDF editor!