A bounds specification consists of one or more fields that specify a start and end time. The start time is specified by the leftmost fields. Either bound (start or end) can consist of a single absolute time specification single absolute time specification or an interval offset from the other bound.

The bounds specification can also accept complete specifications of the forms:

A single time

The single time item specifies the start time while the end time is inferred from the logical units of the start.

Example 1. Whole week

2003W12

Example 2. Whole quarter

2001Q2

A single integer

The integer can have an optional prefix of W or Q This selected the whole week or quarter specified by the reference point (by default, the current year). If no unit is given then it is assumed it is a day of year.

Example 3. Week of the current year

W12

A relative integer

If one bound is available as a complete specification, then the remaining one may be an integer as described above. In this case the year will be inferred from the complete specification.

Example 4. DOY of a selected year

2012-05-01 125

A four digit year and at least one integer

The first four digit year specifies the year used with the integer specification, which is handled above. Any remaining fields are treated as follows:

No remaining fields

The end is set based on the logical units used used in the specification

A single remaining field

The end time is treated as another integer with the specified start year as the reference point. The time is wrapped to the next year if the end time would be before the start. Two remaining fields with the first a four digit integer: The end year is set from the four digit year. The end time is specified using the same integer selection procedure described above.

Example 5. All of day 231 of 2001

2001 321

Example 6. All of the second quarter of 2002

2002 Q2

Example 7. Days 100 to 110 of 2005

2005 101 110

Two integers with a year between

If two integers as specified above are at the start and end with a four digit year between, then the integers are handled as above, but with the year specifying the end year reference.

Example 8. Weeks 21 to 23 of 2010

W21 2010 W23