BrightstarDB is a native RDF database for the .NET platform. It stores and integrates data using a schema-less RDF model, and can run embedded in an application or as a server accessed through a RESTful HTTP API or .NET client API. Its core libraries have a small footprint and install with zero configuration for embedded use. BrightstarDB implements the SPARQL query language, update language, and protocol, and supports SPARQL 1.1 endpoints. Supported RDF formats include N-Triples, N-Quads, RDF/XML, Turtle, RDF/JSON, N3, and TriX. For strongly typed .NET applications, its RDF ORM includes a LINQ provider that maps domain model queries to SPARQL and supports CRUD and querying. The ORM, LINQ to SPARQL, and dynamic objects API can also connect to SPARQL 1.1 endpoints. Its append-only store allows queries or reversion to earlier transaction points; periodic coalescing can remove old points to manage file growth. A single-writer, concurrent-reader model allows reads to continue during writes. BrightstarDB is free and licensed under MIT for commercial and non-commercial use, with releases available through NuGet and GitHub. Community support is available through GitHub issues, and commercial support is available from NetworkedPlanet. Security features are described as basic and customizable, and service access controls are a work in progress.
Who it is for
BrightstarDB suits developers building .NET applications that store RDF data, especially those using strongly typed models, LINQ, or SPARQL endpoints. It can also suit projects that need an embedded database or a self-hosted server and can work within its documented security model.
What is good
- Free and licensed under MIT for commercial and non-commercial use.
- Supports embedded use and server deployment.
- Implements SPARQL query, update, and protocol.
- LINQ provider supports strongly typed .NET CRUD and queries.
- Reads continue while writes occur.
- Supports seven listed RDF formats.
What to know first
- Security features are described as basic and customizable.
- Service access controls are a work in progress.
- Shared-secret server authentication is not yet implemented.
Verdict
Choose BrightstarDB for a free, MIT-licensed RDF database when your application uses .NET, SPARQL, or RDF endpoints. Its embedded and server deployment options, LINQ provider, and concurrent reads are useful capabilities. Look elsewhere if your requirements depend on more mature service access controls or server-side shared-secret authentication.
Get started with BrightstarDB
- Visit the BrightstarDB website.
- Get a release through NuGet or GitHub.
- Choose embedded use or run it as a self-hosted server.
- For a server, access it through the RESTful HTTP API or .NET client API.
- Connect using the RDF ORM, LINQ to SPARQL, or dynamic objects API where applicable.
Questions about BrightstarDB
How much does BrightstarDB cost?
BrightstarDB is free and has a free plan.
Is BrightstarDB open source?
Yes. It is licensed under MIT for commercial and non-commercial use.
Which platforms does BrightstarDB support?
Its listed platforms are Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows.
Can BrightstarDB connect to other SPARQL endpoints?
Its ORM, LINQ to SPARQL, and .NET dynamic objects API can connect to endpoints implementing SPARQL 1.1 standards.
How can I get BrightstarDB?
Releases are available through NuGet and GitHub.
What support is available?
Community support is available through the GitHub issue tracker, and commercial support is available from NetworkedPlanet.
Compared on RDF databases
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment options
- self-hosted
- SPARQL support
- sparql 1.1
- Supported RDF formats
- N-Triples, N-Quads, RDF/XML, Turtle, RDF/JSON, N3, TriX
