Dee Dee Strohl - Blog 7

Final Reflection

Like a lot of my classmates have said, AE 410 was like no other class I have taken at Drexel. It covered topics I was only briefly introduced to and allowed me to explore them further. The class was interesting and relevant to my major without being computation based. Though geared towards the digital building concentration, I still found it helpful as a mechanical concentration—especially with the discussion of sensors and BAS. Spending several weeks talking about topics allowed for a well-rounded discussion of them.  The class structure allowed you to learn a lot about the subjects, present what you’d learned, and discuss with your classmates. I liked that we had time to discuss with our groups and work with others for the final project. It’d made the class more interactive and expanded my knowledge by using my classmates as resources.

The discussion of robots and AI was something I had only briefly learned about. Though incredibly interesting, I also find it worrisome. Robots and AI are such a powerful tool and we need to be cautious with how we use it. Though I already used Revit and other BIM software in other classes and at co-op, I had no experience with databases. That portion of the class was entirely new to me and gave me a perspective as to how they work and where they would be useful. With both BIM and databases, the class gave everyone a basic understanding that could be transferred into our classroom and other future experiences.

Not only is Professor Mitchell a wealth of knowledge, bringing in guest presenters to show their experiences with the topics was also helpful. It was cool to hear how this software impacts their jobs and where they see the future of the technology going. One point that I saw as a theme in the class is that this technology is ever-changing and that we need to be prepared to learn with those changes. Keeping that idea in mind while finishing up at Drexel and moving on to a career will be critical. Though the powers of Revit and BIM in general are amazing, it’s only a quick stop in the timeline of the technology—it will continue to expand in capabilities and user understanding.

Overall, I learned a lot in the class and looked at topics I was not familiar with. I was able to connect with my classmates through discussions and use them as resources in understanding what we were learning about the technology and the application of them. I initially took the class to check off part of the professional elective requirement, but ended up seeing how relevant it is in the design and construction fields today.

COMMENTS:

Allison Abad:

I agree that this class was a nice break from the computation-based classes we usually see as engineers, it was a nice way to see a different aspect of the field and hear from people already in the industry. Like you, the database was a challenge for me but was practical for our majors. The class was geared towards digital building concentrations, but it was still interesting and insightful as a mechanical concentration.

Brad DiGiovanni:

I agree that the class schedule was nice—we were able to take a couple weeks to dive into each topic. Prof. Mitchell is very knowledgeable in these topics and did a great job of spreading that knowledge to us. I agree that the class did open our minds to the ever-changing technology of our society, though it worries me. We must embrace the changes or be left behind, but if technology goes too far, we could be in trouble.

Lauren Kujawa:

Like you, I’m unsure how often I will use the database knowledge we learned in this class, but all the topics we discussed were interesting and could become relevant to our jobs as time progresses. Andrew and I also wrote our paper on the differences between green and intelligent buildings. I also have learned about green buildings from other classes so seeing the intelligent building side was a positive change.

Johnson - B7 Course Reflection

I really enjoyed taking this course.  It was very self-guided, which was incredibly satisfying.  You certainly got out what you put into the class.  The research was really interesting because it is information you would never get from another class.  We got a glimpse into the future of our industry by studying how A.I., robots, and BIM will all be integrated, and they are all basically in their initial stages.  The class made me not only consider my future profession in contracting, but also made me think about how it will be different in 5 to 10 years.  Understanding the technology that will be used in the future will keep me prepared and hopefully a more valuable employee.

The freedom allowed from the final project basically allowed for us to research any topic or work on anything we wanted, so long as it fit into the class categories.  This allowed my partner, Brad, and I to research a topic that was not only interesting but also a technology that may end up becoming a norm in the construction industry.  Our research project was on 3D laser scanning and how it connects all professions within the construction industry.  If we ever see scanning being used on a project, we will know how to handle it with knowledge that a typical engineer may not have. 

In addition to the new research that I was able to do, the class also provided a great foundation of knowledge within both BIM and databases.  Revit is a crucial part of any concentration of architectural engineering, so it is important to graduate with as much knowledge of the program as possible.  Creating and editing families is a crucial part of Revit and will be used across all disciplines.  It certainly would have helped for my past coop experiences where I edited families incorrectly.  In addition to BIM technologies, it really helped to have a base knowledge of what a database is, what it does, and how to make one.  Databases can help connect different categories and record certain values for future use.  After the database is created, it is simple to add new parts to the table to expand upon historical data.

Overall, the class is a really good experience.  It allows the students to do independent research based on their own interests due to its “loose” structure.  Its refreshing to take a class that is not strictly by the book.  It also helps students understand that the industry is constantly changing.  To be successful, we must accept change and adapt to new work environments.  There are so many technologies we learned about that are just being started up that will probably be in regular practice 10 years from now and will probably be outdated 10 years after that.  It is important to continue researching so that we do not fall behind the times.

Comments:

1) Deutsch
Alyssia,
I thought you made a good point about not really thinking outside your concentration. Since you are structural, you always think in terms of structural design. I think the class did a good job of pushing students to see aspects of the industry from different perspectives and how other aspects can apply to you, even if they are indirect relationships. I also agree that the research and collaboration aspects of the course were some of the most helpful as they helped you hear how other people view the topics. Overall, it gave a great base knowledge and helped build understanding for other's views.

2) V. A.
Mariano,
I agree that it was tough to understand how sensors and robotics would actually have a great impact on the future of the construction industry before taking the class. Understanding sensors and what they do is crucial for everyone in our line of work. We had a motion sensor on site for one of my coop jobs that would constantly go off. My company would get calls trying to figure out why they were getting high activity readings which was actually just because of wind and not our work. Sensors are important for regulating but it is also important to understand what could be causing different readings when you are on the wrong end of it. They will only get more prevalent in construction as people want to always know what is taking place.

3) Anibaba
Malik,
I absolutely agree that the blog posts were helpful in not only making us research a weekly topic but also getting feedback and seeing different perspectives. This is not only good for the class but also helps when we need to work with others with different backgrounds in the field. The class helped us understand more about our future work and what we will end up dealing with in terms of technology. AE410 was able to teach us both new technical skills with BIM and databases, as well as develop an understanding of what technologies we will face in the future as we advance in our careers.

B7 Course Reflection

Taking intelligent building has been an interesting choice for me this term; walking in into the course, I did not know what to expect because the concept of intelligent building was somehow new to me. As we started to get into the weekly subjects, the knowledge that I have gained during this term have influenced my area of interest for future career goals and studies.

For instance, with the various assignments, I was able to first learn more about blogs, and database which was at the time a concept that I was studying, and it was presented in a different view that had allowed me to understand better what I am studying in a different course. Then, the couple assignments on Microsoft Access had given me the basics that I need to further use this program because even though I have use it extensively before, the concepts behind the relationships among the tables were new and challenging at first. Also, during the research for my final project, I was able to gain more knowledge on green building and intelligent building.

Prior to this course, I had never thought of sensors and robotics as tools that would impact greatly the construction industry, and known that intelligent building is a dynamic and responsive architecture that provides every occupant with productive, cost-effective and environmentally approved conditions through a continuous interaction among its basic elements: places (fabric; structure; facilities); process (automation; control; systems); people (services; users) and management (maintenance; performance) and the interrelation between them.” (Architectural Science Review, Volume 59, 2016, Issue 5), or green building involves the creation of structures using processes that are environmental friendly and efficient throughout a building life’s cycle such as siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Overall, I would say that I have truly enjoyed this course, and the way many subjects were introduced during the lecture; This process makes the time worthwhile and has increased my curiosity about multiple subjects within the construction industry. I can wait to use some of the concepts that I have learned in this course, and I am looking forward to see how the evolution of technology would influence this course and the future of our industry.

Comments:

Malik,

I like your approach about the course reflection; first I agree with you by saying that most of us had different opinions about the course, and our expectations were totally outside of the scope of the course. Also, your opinion about the weekly blog posts is well-expressed because every student had posted something unique every week which makes it interesting to read about the many subjects covered in class.

Alyssia,

It was interesting that you have mentioned the many technological concepts  learned during this course, and your opinions about the classroom and some of the things that we could improve in this course is truly appreciated.

Johnson,

Most of us would agree about your opinions on this course; it is true that the class is a reflection of one’s work, time, and effort. I found your final project interesting, and the correlation that you have drawn between this course, the construction industry and the future is worth looking into.

B7 - Course Reflection

AE410: Intelligent buildings taught by Dr. James Mitchell looked at the building industry and how it is changing with technological advancements. Goal of the course was to enable students with an understanding of the impact technologies could have in their professional careers. More specifically class explored Information technology aspects of a buildings life cycle with includes design to demolition. Students learnt about BIM (Building information modelling), Database operations and networks. Class tasked students with reading and discussing scholarly articles with the aid of blog posts as well as taking an in depth look at a specific branch of intelligent buildings by taking on a project or writing a paper.

Personally, the class was a lot different than I imagined, I expected technical outlook on intelligent technologies and how they impact the building i.e. Electrical consumption, implementation and installation. However, I got more than I intended. Class looked at the topic from a broader aspect, by questioning what it means for a building to be intelligent, looking at intelligent technologies before construction started and the possible future of intelligent technologies in the architect, engineer, and contractor industry.

Weekly blogposts were efficient in the sense that each student was not reporting on the exact same topic or was looking at the same topic from a different approach or angle. This allowed us to learn from each other and provided avenues to learn more: We covered more content in this way.. Projects assigned during class duration were well guided by professor. Database and Bookcase projects required preliminary submissions which allowed professor to make comments and give feedback on how to better develop final submission for effective learning process. Submissions also required a writing component to them which required students to report their findings and difficulties. This allowed student reflection for a better learning process and also give course instructor feedback on how to better structure projects for future students taking the class.

Final project required in depth technical research typical of a 400 level engineering class. This charged students with picking a desired topic and seeing it through. A great deal was learnt in this manner and presentation allows students to bounce ideas of each other. In general AE 410 is a really efficient and effective class. Being a Civil engineering the tools picked up from class will definitely come into play in my professional career.

Comments:
Shaden - I like that you enjoyed the futuristic outlook on the AEC industry. i was more fixated on the pre design and pre construction applications. I do liked that we also looked at Artificial intelligence and how it could play in the future, i would previously not have agreed it had any impact on the AEC industry. I to do not think i would have found myself looking at Microsoft access if not for this class.

Cody Johnson - I like that this class has had an impact on your career goals and objectives. I myself briefly considered gearing my career goals to be in line with Building information modeling if i decided to take the general contractor route. Access was also new and eye opening, if not for this class i am not sure i would have explored databases.

Jacob Wahbeh - I like that you pointed out the connotation of the AEC industry to be old without technological advancements. I who i am a member of the industry also in some sense thought this way. This class has more than shown me that that is not the case. It in facts uses technological advancements from pre design to construction.

B7 - DiGiovanni

I enjoyed this class because it covered a wide variety of future technologies related to buildings. A lot of classes that cover one topic per week feel rushed and leave you with the feeling that you didn't really learn much of anything. This class was somehow different where it feels like we learned a lot about a wide variety of topics. For example, while my INFO 210 class has covered a lot about database theory, what I learned from this class was comparable to about the first three weeks of that class.

Also being able to choose your own research topic was a way we could tailor our learning towards our career path. As someone with experience in construction and owner's representation, I was able to learn more about those fields. Laser scanning being transferred to BIM as well as using photogrammetry on drones was what I've seen in those fields.

This class also helped open my mind towards the future of design, the industry, and the future of society as a whole. Robots and AI are truly where we are headed in every aspect of society, and being able to embrace them and learn to use them to stay ahead of the curve is a valuable skill. I also think it is highly valuable to learn this from Prof. Mitchell as well. He's someone who started out his career before Computer Aided Design was even a term. Now, he is the most up to date and knowledgeable person I know on BIM, AI, and the future of buildings. Learning about this new technology from a young professor would have been OK, but would not have had anywhere near the same impact. Professor Mitchell's life experiences and how he has seen the industry change was very entertaining and always grabbed my attention. I also appreciated how the class wasn't focused on unrealistic technologies. In some of my earlier classes, we'd learn about future building technologies (mainly based in Green Design) that just seem so futuristic and unrealistic where you'd almost have to roll your eyes. This class was more practical and had facts and data that backed up the information presented.

Overall, this class covered a wide variety of topics that were tied together nicely and taught me a lot about the industry and technology that will be used in the near future. I am sure that in the years to come I will be seeing more and more of the stuff I read about in this class.

1) Allison,

I thought the same thing when I read your section on INFO 210. This class really focused on how it is relevant to us as engineers, rather than treating us as database designers. By treating us as database designers who had to design databases with multiple topics, we sort of lost sight of how databases can apply specifically to engineers, so I'm glad 410 brought us back down to earth.

2) Thomas,

From your first paragraph, I think that this class should be mandatory for all AEs. Possibly at different years depending on your concentration to keep class sizes small, but it's importance spreads beyond just the digital building students. As you said, automation is taking over all aspects of the industry, including structural and BIM, so it really can't hurt any concentration to take this class.

3) Joshua,

Your paper topic seems very interesting. It is one of the reasons I'm glad we get to see other peoples presentations tomorrow, because there are so many great topics people chose and I'm curious to see them all. As I mentioned in my post, we covered so much in this class but there is only so much time Prof. Mitchell has. Being able to see what other students decided to write about will help expand my knowledge base and interest level even more.

Dee Dee Strohl - Blog 5

Uses of databases in design offices

What is a database?

A database is a computerized system that stores information that can be easily searched and selected. It is a collection of records that contain one or more fields (pieces of data) about some entity (object). This can be used in many applications; like libraries keeping track of available and checked out books, or a company who’s stored all employee information. There are a few types of databases that can be used: flat, hierarchical, network, and relational. Though Excel can and is used for a plenty of projects in design offices (and beyond), using a database is more capable with respect to large, complex projects that contain a lot of data or pieces. Databases are also attractive because several people can access and edit information at the same time.

From a design office perspective:

From an architectural or engineering firm perspective, using a database could be helpful in several applications. A database could be created to keep all client information and the projects associated with them. From working in an engineering firm, I’ve seen that different clients have specific requirements for building design and construction. Having a database to contain all the client information and specifications would be helpful. Especially because you can search for distinct words/requirements in the database easily. The database, and thus the information, can be accessed remotely and files are easily backed up to prevent losing work and edits.

From an owner perspective:

With databases, it’s easier for owners to share information with design firms and track progress. It makes finding documentation on both ends easier. Besides having access to a database for the design process, owners could create a database to use once the building is construction and in use. Information about the performance of the building systems, building automation, or life cycle could be track by looking at past and present data.

From a general perspective:

Because databases are becoming more and more used, the sharing of information has gotten easier. Different firms and people can share their projects or technologies with the world through them, making processes easier and more efficient. Even throughout college, databases have made it easier to research for classes and papers. This is particularly seen from the Drexel Libraries system, which allows you to search thousands of articles and journals with just a few keywords. It can also be helpful from a marketing perspective because everything is easily accessible.

Sources:

 “Architectural File Management Systems and Database,” Human Service Solutions. Accessed 2/11/18. https://www.hswsolutions.com/work/case-studies/architecture-file-management-database/

“Database Definition,” The Linux Information Project. Accessed 2/11/18. http://www.linfo.org/database.html

“How to Better Manage Your Project Data,” Archsmarter. Accessed 2/11/18. http://archsmarter.com/manage-project-data/

COMMENTS:

Isaac Quelly:

It’s awesome that you got to look at the GSI project and database in its early stages. I see why it’s important for every step of the design and build process to be tracked and added to the database and how it could be troublesome if changes are made without the correct procedure. Do you think the PWD has done anything to keep this issue from occurring in projects? Do you think the implementation of this technology will continue? I know when I worked at the city people were hesitant to take on new procedures.

Luciana Tangari:

Like you, I know nothing about object oriented databases (I honestly barely understand the types of databases as a whole). The analogy you added to your post was very helpful in gaining a better understanding of OODMS and relational databases. It’s interesting that OODMS can handle such complex data but makes it easier to access. I’m still not completely sure I understand OODMS, but your post helped me at least gain a bit of knowledge on the topic.

Dung Tran:

Thanks for giving me an understanding of what a relational database is. I ready in Luciana’s post about OODMS so it was nice to read about the other side of the coin. It’s interesting that in this type of database tables can be defined with constraints or algorithms but also don’t have to be. The images you included also made your (and Darwen’s) explanation easier to understand.

Johnson - B5: Databases in Design

            Databases are now being used for design work in all aspects of architectural design.  This integration is making designers’ work easier by saving and classifying different tools and built objects in BIM.  Using relational databases can help create new tools that help change minor details in the project.  They can be attached to different properties of building elements to quickly edit heights, sizes, or other properties with a click of a button or moving a slide bar.  Dynamo, a program that links with Revit, allows for this.  There are several editing tools that relate to another piece of the project.  The video of the Dynamo example shows how they can create a structure completely in Dynamo by creating a repeated design and then defining the space that it will cover.  They can even change the materials and how the roof curves throughout the structure.

            The Dynamo program is driven by SQL.  This is a database program that allows Dynamo to feed the tables in Revit.  SQL can be coded to set objects into categories such as furniture and can be pulled from Revit into an easy to understand table.  This will allow you to pull all the information for a particular type of object.  As the SQL code expands, you can get more specific in what you would like to look at.  If a client would like to see all the types of chairs he or she was getting in a design, the designer could easily go into SQL and pull that data for an easy to understand chart for the client.  This is much easier than setting up a furniture schedule and then having to just highlight all the chairs in the project.

            The same procedure can be done with the rooms of a project.  Once all the data is collected, then they can be sorted using SQL to show what furniture is in which room.  This is just one example of the power of relational databases in design.  This can be done for any part of piece of a design project.  This will ultimately make communication between the owner and the designer easier.  They can create quick lists during the design process to give updates and keep records of the design at certain times. 

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Sk1w7xU4Q

https://revitbeyondbim.wordpress.com/2015/09/09/driving-a-sql-database-with-dynamo/

Responses:

1) DiGiovanni:

Brad,
It sounds like you found a great article that you could combine with your personal knowledge of the industry. I agree that it would be incredibly beneficial for design firms to have databases filled with information from sensors on previous projects. Since design firms typically specialize in a certain type of building or facility, most of their jobs tend to be very similar. They also probably work for some of the same owners repeatedly. They could know what the design did for those previous projects and make small changes to reach the goals that the owner sets out for them in contract. Although the contracts you mention are very harsh to the designers, it would still be incredibly useful for them to understand exactly how their design actually runs. One of the big issues of this type of contract is how the contractor builds the facility. If the design is not built properly, this may have an impact on the expectations of the design. This alter the actual data collected and may leave the design firm misinformed.

2) Wahbeh:

Jacob,
I think you found several benefits to database technology for the construction industry. Being able to access the drawings virtually from site is a major bonus for contractors. Although this does not replace the typical paper drawings, contractors can receive updates faster and keep the project on schedule. Also, one of the most important aspects of being a constructor is keeping records. With all revisions, change orders, and RFIs kept in database collection, they will not be lost in translation. These are crucial for finding when and where these parts were sent. This allows a better defense for contractors or designers when trying to find faults on the project.

3) Zhang:

Shuyuan,
You made a very good point about the subcontractors only getting the information they need for the project. With all of the design typically coming in one package, it can be difficult to sort through all the disciplines to find what specific contractors may need. With databases, it is easy to sort the data out into different categories. This allows all plumbing aspects to go to the plumber, all electrical aspects to the electrician, etc. This saves time and effort typically for the contractor. The general contractor still needs to make sure everything is coordinated correctly, this may not be as necessary for the subs. If the information can move more easily, the project typically moves smoother and faster.

Amisial B-6 Uses of Database in Design Offices

Amisial B-6 Uses of Database in Design Offices

Per my belief, I think database is an indispensable tool for any successful companies and offices. Since they could be used for a variety of task in businesses and offices, they became a daily tool that most employees use for accomplishing projects. According to Herzing College:

“Databases are used to structurally organize and capture large quantities of data by inputting, storing, retrieving and managing information. While we commonly think of databases to be online stores of information, a phone book or census also qualify as examples. In computer lingo, a database application is the program responsible for retrieving and storing this data. Offices these days generally function on a database management system, which provides an interface between the user and the database, and also catalogues data. Some of the more popular database management systems include Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft Access. Since there are a variety of DBMS’s available to choose from, each office may function using different software. For this reason, DBMS software will often come with an Open Database Connectivity driver, which allows different database systems to interact and share information.

For instance, Dropbox is a popular system of cloud storage like Google Drive, where users can maintain, share and access massive quantities of files on the internet. It itself acts as a huge database, where one can “drop” or sync images, documents, downloads into a private or shared account, for the intent of then being immediately accessible from any computer with an online connection. Rather than emailing the same files to ten different people, a database will receive the data and allow the other ten co-workers to view and download at their will. “

Reference: http://www.herzing.ca/blog/winnipeg/the-importance-of-database-applications-in-the-office/

Comments:

Isaac,

It was interesting that you have related functionality of database during construction with your past personal work experience. I can see why it would be a struggle to have a database that allows multiple incoming updates from several parties. I found myself genuinely interested in finding database with such capacity, but I can tell you during my time working for the city, I was able to access a database with which my team was able to update multiple projects concurrently.

Wicker,

Your writing about Structured Query Language (SQL) was enjoyable, and I agree with you by stating that SQL must evolved alongside with some design programs. In fact, as you understand the relationship between SQL and design program or database, it becomes more efficient for the user, and their both intended purposes are more reachable.

Sonny,

I like the way your information was presented about relational database theory (RDB). As someone who is a novice in RDBs; I could say that they are a primary tool for user-friendly type of database, and they are mostly used for database in which it is important to present the users information in the form of tables.

B5 - Uses of databases in design offices

Uses of databases in design offices

In order to understand what is the use of database for design offices one must understand the proper definition of database, because some may mistake excel for being a database due to its data recording capabilities as it’s similar to the concept of a database where it stores and records data.

What is database?

“Database is a gathered collection of information that is structured according to the relationship of data with one another for each access and management” (Kilkelly, ArchSmarter).Managing a database includes but not limited to entering, deleting, and exporting data. Example of database management system that are used to design database are MS Access, MySQL, FileMaker, and Oracle.

What is Excel?

Excel is a spreadsheet that is use primarily for analyzation of data, while it cannot handle very large amount of recorded data as a database.

Database Vs Excel

“Databases are designed to in a way to refer to information without actually requiring to load all of the information into memory.” (Valentina-db)

The following table below compares “MS Excel” to “MS Access”, which gives an idea of what’s the difference between a database such as Access and a spread sheet such as Excel.

(Source: Gavin, Excel Vs. Access)

How may database be used for design office

For large projects that contain many requirements in terms of the architectural and engineering design aspect, a database may be used to record and track data, where the database is structured based on the considerations of the owner’s requirements, requirements completed, requirements need to be completed, problems required to be solved, solved problems, and their solution, keeping track of whose working on what and who changed what. In addition to storing data such as before and after files, which is beneficial for reverse of change if required.

Other use of database may be for file management purposes, where files can be accessed, downloaded and edited from anywhere. In addition to securing the files by controlling who can and can’t access the database for a certain project.

Other benefits of a database for design offices is recording client’s information such as address, name, phone number, projects previously worked on and details such as cost, change orders, etc. Keeping track of issues or change orders with clients would be beneficial for creating a better strategy for future projects if any. In addition, keeping track of the office’s performance compared to the past days, weeks, months and years.  

Reading

“What is in a Database and Why Excel IS NOT a Database.” Valentina-Db, 4 Feb. 2017, www.valentina-db.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=valentina:products:adk:v4rev:howto:databases_from_zero:what_is_in_a_database_and_why_excel_isnt_a_database.

Phillips, Gavin. “Excel Vs. Access – Can a Spreadsheet Replace a Database?” MakeUseOf, 7 Nov. 2014, www.makeuseof.com/tag/excel-vs-access-can-spreadsheet-replace-database/.

Kilkelly, Michael. “How to Better Manage Your Project Data (or the Architect's guide to databases) - ArchSmarter -.” ArchSmarter, 17 Mar. 2015, archsmarter.com/manage-project-data/.

Summerfield, Jason. “Architectural File Management System & Database.” HSS Web Technologies, www.hswsolutions.com/work/case-studies/architecture-file-management-database/.

Migrator. “Benefits of database development.” Nibusinessinfo.co.uk, 8 Dec. 2017, www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/benefits-database-development.

Comments:

B5- Databases in Construction Firms

christhach 

 I would like to point out that construction firms, and firms involved with estimating highly depend on historical data of past projects aside from RS Means, because in some cases it may be more reliable than RS Means especially for productivity rates which are used for scheduling purposes. So even if RS Means produces an online version to it, these firms would still be more dependent on their historical data.

Object Oriented Databases - Hillinger

 Carlos Hillinger

Carlos,

The examples of capabilities of relation and object-oriented database that you have given in your discussion have been useful. However, I don’t see how entities, relationships and attributes make a database, where I feel it would have been beneficial if you would have given a simple example to that and how may they be related.

Sarah Hollis - SQL

 Sarah Hollis

I appreciate the advantage of the disadvantage you have mentioned in regard to SQL, where it’s interesting how simple stuff such as dates, and not being able to distinguish a capital letter from a none capital letter.

Uses of Databases in Construction

Zac Arnold 

You have done a great job with mentioning what are the capabilities of database use in construction. I have always heard of CMiC, but I never really knew what are its capabilities. I never even really considered it as database up until I’ve learned more about database by reading your discussion. In addition to reading others discussions about what database are or could be.