Time Boundaries

As you import or create a space-time dataset, you will need to define how to handle the break points.  In other words, which data take precedence at the moment of change?

For time slice data, you need to specify whether the time stamps are inclusive or exclusive. For time series data, the start dates and times are presumed to be inclusive, and the end dates and times are interpreted as exclusive. However, you can specify whether SpaceStat uses the date as exclusive of the first moment of that date/time or inclusive of the last moment. If you select "through end of time period", the data is inclusive to the last moment of that date/time. The time slice will be exclusive of the next day if it is a date, or next second if it is a time.

Inclusive

An inclusive time stamp begins at the first moment of the start date or time and ends at the first moment of the end date or time specified. So an inclusive start time stamp of 20011001 (October 1, 2001) begins at 12AM on that day and an inclusive end time stamp of 20011031 ends at 12AM on that day.

Exclusive

An exclusive time stamp begins at the first moment after the start date or time and ends at the first moment before the end date or time. So, an exclusive start time stamp of 20011001 begins immediately after 12AM on October 1, 2001. An exclusive end time stamp of 20011031 ends just before 12AM on October 31, which means the last moment of October 30.

Through End of Time Period

Often, when we write an end time of 20011031 or October 31, what we really mean is that we are including all time up to, but not including November 1, 2001. ONe way to achieve this is to check the "through end of time period" box.  When this option is enabled, it is interpreted as including the last moment of that date and/or time. So, 20011031 through end of time period means through the last moment of October 31, 2001.