Timefrom

Timefrom is a term used in data schemas and query interfaces to denote the starting point of a temporal interval. It is typically paired with timeto to define a range of time for filtering, aggregation, or event selection. In practice, timefrom may be represented as a timestamp, an ISO 8601 date-time string, or a numeric epoch value, depending on the system's conventions.

Semantics and boundaries vary by implementation. Some systems treat the interval as closed on both ends [timefrom, timeto], others use a half-open convention such as [timefrom, timeto) where the end is not included. Documentation should be consulted for the exact rules. Timezone handling is important: values may be in local time, UTC, or include an explicit offset.

Common usage includes database queries, log analysis, scheduling interfaces, and reporting tools where users specify a start time to retrieve all records from that point forward to timeto. When constructing timefrom values, it is important to validate that timefrom is not after timeto, and to consider missing or open-ended bounds (for example timefrom with no timeto).

Examples: timefrom=2024-04-01T12:00:00Z and timeto=2024-04-01T13:00:00Z would select events in the one-hour window starting at noon UTC on April 1, 2024.

Timefrom is not a formal standard with a single universal definition; it is a descriptive label used in multiple tools to refer to a start boundary of a time interval.