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📦 Cost Database Manager – Release Notes
Version 2.0.0 (SQLite Edition)
🆕 Overview
The Cost Database Manager is a desktop application designed to efficiently record, manage, and track cost-related data for construction and project operations.
This release introduces a fully integrated SQLite database, replacing file-based storage, resulting in improved performance, reliability, and scalability.
🚀 Key Features
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Local SQLite Database Storage
- All data is stored securely within the application
- No external server or configuration required
- Improved performance and data integrity compared to Excel-based storage
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Structured Cost Item Management
- Add, edit, and delete cost items
- Organized fields for category, unit, currency, location, and remarks
- Auto-generated unique record IDs
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Advanced Search & Filtering
- Real-time search across all columns
- Instant filtering without reloading the application
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Smart Dropdown Inputs
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Searchable dropdowns for:
- Construction Divisions (CSI format)
- Units of Measure
- Currencies (PHP, USD prioritized)
- Philippine Provinces (NCR first, International included)
- Remarks / Scope of Work
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Reference File Attachment
- Attach supporting documents (PDFs, images, spreadsheets, etc.)
- One-click open, copy, or paste reference paths
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Secure Edit & Delete Operations
- Password-protected editing and deletion
- Prevents unauthorized data modification
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User-Friendly Interface
- Scrollable form layout
- Keyboard navigation support (Enter key to move between fields)
- Tooltips for guided data entry
- Visual input validation and error highlighting
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Excel Export
- Export full database to Excel format for reporting or sharing
- Preserves column structure and formatting
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Responsive Layout
- Auto-resizing table columns
- Optimized for large screens and window resizing
🔄 Major Changes from Previous Version
- Migrated primary storage from Excel (.xlsx) to SQLite (.db)
- Improved performance for large datasets
- Eliminated risk of file corruption during save operations
- Enabled future expansion (reporting, summaries, multi-user support)
🔐 Security
- Edit and delete actions require password authentication
- Prevents accidental or unauthorized data changes
💡 Intended Use
- Construction cost tracking
- Project material and supply logging
- Internal cost monitoring and documentation
- Desktop-only, offline operation
📁 Data Files
- Database File:
cost_data.db - Export File:
.xlsx(user-generated)
🛠️ Technical Notes
- Built with Python & Tkinter
- Uses SQLite for embedded database storage
- Compatible with Windows desktop environments
- No external dependencies required (Excel export optional via
openpyxl)
✨ Short Version (If you need something brief)
Cost Database Manager v1.0 introduces a robust SQLite-backed storage system, replacing Excel-based data handling. This release improves performance, data integrity, and scalability while adding searchable dropdowns, secure edit/delete operations, reference file management, and Excel export functionality—all within a modern, user-friendly desktop interface.
📘 Internal / Company Style Description
The Cost Database Manager is a standalone desktop application developed to streamline cost data recording and tracking. The system uses a local SQLite database for secure, high-performance data storage and supports structured cost entries, searchable classification fields, document references, and Excel export. This version is designed for offline use and future scalability.