Compass: a Java library for FAIR Signposting (Level 1 & 2)

[Sven Fillinger]

Dear all,

we are currently in the process of integrating InvenioRDM into our local research data management ecosystem. I was happy to discover that InvenioRDM already supports FAIR Signposting, which opens up great opportunities for interlinking local RDM services with scholarly objects hosted in InvenioRDM-based repositories.

Since most of our services are built in Java, and I was not aware of a dedicated Java library to parse, validate, and interpret FAIR Signposting Level 1 and Level 2 recipes, I started working on a library called Compass:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18327776

Compass focuses on validation and semantic interpretation of Signposting for service providers. It operates entirely in memory (no network access), builds on RFC 8288 Web Links, and also includes a Link Set (JSON) parser aiming to comply with RFC 9264.

Given the amount of work and thought that went into the FAIR Signposting and Link Set specifications, I wanted to share that something is currently being built in the Java ecosystem that tries to follow and operationalize these specifications closely. The library is still in an early development stage, so feedback, pointers, or discussion are very welcome.

Best regards

Sven