This function returns a value corresponding to the timestamp of the first millisecond of the month, bi-month, quarter, tertial, or half-year containing a base date. It is also possible to find the timestamp for a previous or following time period.
Syntax:
MonthsStart(n_months, date[, period_no [, first_month_of_year]])
Return data type: dual
Arguments:
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| n_months | The number of months that defines the period. An integer or expression that resolves to an integer that must be one of: 1 (equivalent to the inmonth() function), 2 (bi-month), 3 (equivalent to the inquarter() function), 4 (tertial), or 6 (half year). |
| date | The date to evaluate. |
| period_no | The period can be offset by period_no, an integer, or expression resolving to an integer, where the value 0 indicates the period that contains base_date. Negative values in period_no indicate preceding periods and positive values indicate succeeding periods. |
| first_month_of_year |
If you want to work with (fiscal) years not starting in January, indicate a value between 2 and 12 in first_month_of_year. |
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