Usage Notes

For '+' operator: 

• If you add a decimal value to a timestamp, the result depends on the session/system parameter TIMESTAMP_ARTITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR:
  • When TIMESTAMP_ARITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR = 'INTERVAL' - the decimal is rounded to an integer, and a certain number of full days are added (this is similar to function ADD_DAYS).
  • When TIMESTAMP_ARITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR = 'DOUBLE' - the fraction of days are added (hours, minutes, ...).
• When adding the number of years or months (for example, INTERVAL '3' MONTH) on a date whose day is the last day of the month, then the last day of the resulting month is returned (similar to ADD_MONTHS).

For '-' operator

• The difference between two datetime values depends on the session/system parameter TIMESTAMP_ARITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR:
  • TIMESTAMP_ARITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR = 'INTERVAL' - the result is an interval (similar to function DAYS_BETWEEN).
  • TIMESTAMP_ARITHMETIC_BEHAVIOR = 'DOUBLE' - the result is a double.
• The difference of a datetime value and a decimal is similar to the + operator with a negative value, thus subtracting days instead of adding them.
• The difference between two interval values return an interval.
• When subtracting the number of years or months (for example, INTERVAL '3' MONTH) on a date whose day is the last day of the month, then the last day of the resulting month is returned (similar to ADD_YEARS and ADD_MONTHS).