What is the difference between owl:equivalentClass and rdfs;subClassOf when making owl:Restrictions

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I need to create theset that is restricted to items that are only delivered to Italy.

I don't fully understand the difference between owl:equivalentClass and rdfs:subClassOf in the context of my problem.

:deliversToItaly owl:equivalentClass [a owl:restriction; 
                                      owl:ownProperty ebay:shipsTo;
                                      owl:allValuesFrom geo:Italy].

vs.

:deliversToItaly rdfs:subClassOf [a owl:restriction; 
                                  owl:ownProperty ebay:shipsTo;
                                  owl:allValuesFrom geo:Italy].

Could someone explain the difference between the two, and possibly explain it in context between the two examples I have provided?

rdfs ontology owl semantic-web computer-science
1 Answers

Semantically, you are defining the class as Primitive (subClassOf) versus Defined (equivalentClass). The main difference is in inferencing in one or both directions.

The Primitive class is single direction:

  • any Thing with ShipsTo with values from Italy can be inferred to be a deliversToItaly The Defined class is both directions:
  • as above, and
  • any Thing that is a deliversToItay can be inferred to have shipTo with values from Italy

A Defined class is used when you are confident that you have necessary and sufficient rules for class membership - otherwise Primitive is used for necessary rules only.

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