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Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology

Release: 2025-01-01

Modified on: 2026-04-20
This version:
https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto/0.3.0#
Previous version:
https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto/0.2.0#
Revision:
0.3.0
Authors:
Kalin Maldzhanski
Publisher:
Linked.Archi
Source:
https://c4model.com/
See also:
https://c4model.com/
License:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Visualization:
Visualize with WebVowl
Cite as:
Kalin Maldzhanski. Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology. Revision: 0.3.0. Retrieved from: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto/0.3.0#
Provenance of this page
draft

Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology: Overview back to ToC

This ontology has the following classes and properties.

Classes

Object Properties

Data Properties

Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology: Description back to ToC

An RDF/OWL ontology for the C4 model — the abstract, notation-independent software architecture visualization model created by Simon Brown. Defines the four core abstraction levels (Person, Software System, Container, Component) and their relationships. This ontology covers the C4 model itself, not any specific tooling implementation. For Structurizr-specific concepts (deployment nodes, infrastructure nodes, deployment environments), see the Structurizr extension ontology (structurizr-onto.ttl) which imports this ontology.

Cross-reference for Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology classes, object properties and data properties back to ToC

This section provides details for each class and property defined by Linked.Archi C4 Model Ontology.

Classes

Componentc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#Component

A grouping of related functionality within a container — a module, package, or cohesive set of classes. Not a class or function. Corresponds to C4 Level 3.
has super-classes
element c

Component Containmentc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#ComponentContainment

A containment relationship from a container to a component.
has super-classes
qualified relationship c
is in range of
qualified has component op

Containerc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#Container

A deployable/runnable unit within a software system — a web application, API service, database, message broker, file system, etc. Not a Docker container (though it may run in one). Corresponds to C4 Level 2.
has super-classes
element c

Container Containmentc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#ContainerContainment

A containment relationship from a software system to a container.
has super-classes
qualified relationship c
is in range of
qualified has container op

Personc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#Person

A human user of the software system — a user, actor, role, or persona. Corresponds to C4 Level 1 (System Context).
has super-classes
element c

Software Systemc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#SoftwareSystem

The highest level of abstraction — a software system that delivers value to its users. Includes the system being designed and external systems it depends on. Corresponds to C4 Level 1 (System Context).
has super-classes
element c

Usingc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#Using

A using relationship indicates that one element uses or interacts with another.
has super-classes
qualified relationship c
is in range of
qualified uses op

Object Properties

Has Componentop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#hasComponent

A container contains components.

Has Containerop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#hasContainer

A software system contains containers.

qualified has componentop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#qualifiedHasComponent

has range
Component Containment c

qualified has containerop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#qualifiedHasContainer

has range
Container Containment c

qualified usesop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#qualifiedUses

has range
Using c

Usesop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#uses

Indicates that one element uses or interacts with another.

Data Properties

Technologydp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/c4/onto#technology

Technology stack used by the container (e.g., 'Spring Boot', 'PostgreSQL', 'React').
has range
string

Legend back to ToC

c: Classes
op: Object Properties
dp: Data Properties
null

Acknowledgments back to ToC

The authors would like to thank Silvio Peroni for developing LODE, a Live OWL Documentation Environment, which is used for representing the Cross Referencing Section of this document and Daniel Garijo for developing Widoco, the program used to create the template used in this documentation.