Development of an Arabic-English microcomputer construction detailed estimating software

Abstract EN

Construction detailed co$t estimating is the process whereby the contractor arrives at an expenditure of resources necessary to complete a construction project in accordance with the plans and specifications.

This paper presents an approach in utilizing two commercially available softwares, dBASE IV and NAFITHA, for developing a prototype Arabic / English Computer-Aided Detailed Estimating System, ARAB-EST, on IBM PCs and compatibles.

The system provides the following functions : (1) allows the user to store, update, retrieve, and access cost databases independent of their uses ; (2) allows the user to retrieve the data in the estimating process automatically ; (3) performs the required calculations to produce cost estimate; (4) allows the user to import-export data from external databases; (5) prints the estimating output through English or Arabic forms; and (6) allows the user to analyze the estimate (what-if analysis, for example).

Since it is merely a computerization of the manual estimating process, ARAB-EST’s users need not learn new estimating techniques.

ARA£-EST’s functions are accessed through a menu-driven system with immediate feedback.

Therefore, its users need only to l،now some basic PC operating principles.