Negative time ranges

[jotaen]

In analogy to tracking a negative duration (-1h) it could be useful to allow tracking “negative” time ranges, i.e. a specific period of time to be deduced from the total.

Syntax ideas:

2020-01-01
    8:00-17:00 Work
    -12:00-13:00 Lunch break
    -(12:00-13:00) Lunch break
    -[12:00-13:00] Lunch break

Currently favouring the [] syntax, as it’s more distinct from the should-total.

Source: #3

[acikek]

Why does it need to be wrapped in () or []?

[jotaen]

My reasoning was for visual clarity. It’s not necessary from a technical point of view, but I feel that it might be too easy to overlook otherwise. I added the “naked” version as well in the example above, I’m also open to any other suggestion.

[vladdeSV]

I am in favor of wrapping in (), with the same reasoning as @jotaen:

for visual clarity.

[vladdeSV]

How would whitespace be handled inside and before the parentheses?

Are the following okay?

2021-04-20
  -(0:00-1:00) foo
  -    ( 0:00   -      1:00  ) foo