periodfrom

Periodfrom is a term used in time-series data and scheduling systems to denote the starting timestamp of a discrete time interval. It is commonly employed as a field name in data schemas, APIs, and query parameters to identify the beginning of a reporting window, billing cycle, or event window. In many implementations, periodfrom is paired with a corresponding periodto (or periodEnd) to define the bounds of the interval.

Formats and usage. Periodfrom is typically expressed as an ISO 8601 date-time string, such as 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z, or as a Unix timestamp, depending on the system. Time zones should be handled consistently to avoid ambiguity; some systems store periodfrom in UTC, while others include a local offset. The exact interpretation of the bounds—whether periodfrom is inclusive or exclusive of the interval’s start, and whether periodto is inclusive or exclusive of the end—varies by implementation.

Semantics and examples. In a monthly reporting context, a periodfrom of 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z and a periodto of 2024-06-30T23:59:59Z typically denote the full month of June. For rolling windows, periodfrom marks the start date of the window and periodto may be periodfrom plus a fixed duration, such as 30 days. These fields are often used in conjunction with other fields such as period and duration to convey the intended interval.

Relation to related terms. Periodfrom is often used alongside periodto, start_time, or startDate. It is not a universal standard, and naming conventions vary across systems; clear documentation should specify the exact semantics of periodfrom within a given context.