Description: Wikidata is a free and open knowledge base that can be read and edited by both humans and machines. Its goal is to provide a centralized repository of structured data that can be used by various applications and projects beyond just the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikidata enables the interconnection of data, facilitating the creation of links between different elements and concepts, which in turn enhances the accessibility and interoperability of information. The data in Wikidata is organized in the form of ‘items’ and ‘properties’, where each item represents a concept or entity, and properties describe the relationships between these items. This structure allows users and developers to access information efficiently and flexibly, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing on a global scale. Additionally, Wikidata supports multiple languages, making it a valuable tool for the international community, allowing people from different backgrounds to contribute to and benefit from the available information.
History: Wikidata was launched on October 30, 2012, as a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. Its creation was driven by the need for a centralized data repository that could be used by all Wikimedia projects, such as Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, and others. Since its launch, it has significantly evolved, incorporating new features and tools to facilitate data editing and usage. In 2013, the ability to use data in multiple languages was introduced to expand its accessibility. Over the years, Wikidata has grown in size and complexity, becoming one of the largest and most utilized databases in the world.
Uses: Wikidata is used in a variety of applications, including enhancing information retrieval in various knowledge-based projects, creating infographics and data visualizations, and integrating data into third-party applications. It is also used by researchers and developers to access structured data that can be utilized in artificial intelligence projects, data analysis, and bioinformatics. Additionally, Wikidata serves as a reference source for data governance and knowledge management across various disciplines.
Examples: An example of the use of Wikidata is its integration into Wikipedia, where data from Wikidata is used to automatically generate infoboxes and other content elements. Another example is the use of Wikidata in research projects, where scientists can access structured data about species, genes, and other biological elements. Additionally, tools like the ‘Wikidata Query Service’ allow users to perform complex queries on the data stored in Wikidata, facilitating the analysis and visualization of information.
