| Conceptual Reference Database for Building Envelope Research |
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| Essay:CRDBER: History of Conceptual Reference Database for Building Envelope ResearchThe backbone of this web site is a database created using MS Access. Initially, the database was built with Access'95. As the MS Office package evolved, the platform is upgraded to Access 2003 (as of 2005.3).
The structure of the database has been through some revisions. Initially, the database was envisioned to assist in publications and survey. For a literature survey in a scientific article, one or more central statements were to be made (of the current status of the field). Each statement should be supported by one or more references. On the other hand, each reference could support several statements. Therefore, at the start, the database consisted of a table of references, and a table of concepts. Each entry of the concepts is a statement. Such as residentially sector consumes xx% of energy, etc. The database was named as "Conceptualized reference database".
As the database grew, the pile up of the concepts was hard to manage and the accumulation of references not easy to organize. A subject index was needed. Instead of creating an extra table, the subject indices shared the same table as the statements. Of cause, this caused some ambiguity. The statements were really hard to manage, so they were removed or converted.
At the same time, there were so many good information on the web that could fit neither reference nor concept. So a table was created to display or link the web site. Some of the information was cut-pasted to the table entries. This table was named as ESSAY. Later, some of the statements in the concept table were moved to essay table.
The display format of the web site also went through some changes and are still being improved.
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