Providing an application-specific interface over a CERIF back-end: challenges and solutions

Abstract

This paper presents a case of presenting information modelled in CERIF through an application-specific programming interface which does not require CERIF expertise by the developers. The CERIF data model is semantically rich and can be used for detailed description of entities of scientific / research activity. A sophisticated application interface is required to exploit the full range of CERIF capabilities. On the other hand, it is obvious that data about scientific-research entities are utilised by users and software developers with various level of familiarity with the CERIF model. Because of the diversity of CRIS systems’ users’ knowledge of CERIF, in certain cases it is useful to create an additional application interface with elements of some simple model which can be easily understood and used by users with low level or without any knowledge of CERIF. The article presents the design and implementation of a wrapper that enables bidirectional conversion of entered data using a simple model application interface to a CERIF back-end and the use of the wrapper in the ENGAGE project as part of an open infrastructure for Public Sector Information.