Query Forms

SPARQL has four query forms. These query forms use the solutions from pattern matching to form result sets or RDF graphs. The query forms are:

SELECT

Returns all, or a subset of, the variables bound in a query pattern match.

CONSTRUCT

Returns an RDF graph constructed by substituting variables in a set of triple templates.

ASK

Returns a boolean indicating whether a query pattern matches or not.

DESCRIBE

Returns an RDF graph that describes the resources found.

Formats such as SPARQL 1.1 Query Results JSON Format, SPARQL Query Results XML Format or SPARQL 1.1 Query Results CSV and TSV Formats can be used to serialize the result set from a SELECT query or the boolean result of an ASK query.