Forum Discussion
Decoding suspend_data Field: Is It Possible?
Hello Community,
I’m working with SCORM files generated by Rise 360, and I’m curious about the suspend_data field and its role in tracking learner progress. Specifically:
- Is it possible to decode the suspend_data field? If so, are there recommended programming approaches for decoding or decompressing this data (like base64 decoding, JSON parsing, etc.)?
- If the data isn’t directly decoded or decompressed, how does SCORM interpret the data for tracking progress? For instance, what mechanisms allow SCORM to understand which parts of the suspend_data reflect progress, quiz answers, or other interactions?
Any insights, experiences, or resources on handling the suspend_data field in a SCORM environment would be really appreciated!
Thanks so much for any help!
Luke
Yes, you can easily decode the suspend data. Rise uses the lzwCompress library. https://www.npmjs.com/package/lzwcompress
Here is a CodePen example on how you can decode it. https://codepen.io/John-Pinkster/pen/qBzENJR
Word of caution: don’t try and update this data as the Rise course logic will just override what you put in there.
6 Replies
I will leave the decoding bit for others to explain if it is possible.
In terms of the LMS, there is no need for the LMS to understand the bookmarking data. The bookmarking data is passed to the LMS and transferred back and is not read.
As for completion and question level data that is sent separately using Scorm.Hello BomL97,
Phil is correct. Rise 360 compresses suspend data to avoid exceeding data limits some learning management systems impose. As a result, the suspend_data string in an LMS debug log isn't human-readable, so you won't be able to decipher it. You can check out this article to learn more about how suspend data works in Articulate courses:
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you so much for the quick responses and helpful tipps! JoseTansengco your attached article states that the course itself can decompress and read suspend_data. Now, regardless of the LMS, I would like to evaluate a user's learning progress by doing the same. Is it therefore possible to decompress and decode suspend_data, as the course itself can do? In the best case programmatically?
Cheers!Yes, you can easily decode the suspend data. Rise uses the lzwCompress library. https://www.npmjs.com/package/lzwcompress
Here is a CodePen example on how you can decode it. https://codepen.io/John-Pinkster/pen/qBzENJR
Word of caution: don’t try and update this data as the Rise course logic will just override what you put in there.
Thanks, this helps a lot!
By any chance you would know the data structure of the json data stored in the Suspended_Data as well? eg. which field(s) represents to what, etc?
Like "c" i would guess this is completion? And "c: 1" means the learner has completed this item? But what about "i" and "p"?
I'm trying to find out what causes the Continue button locked/or not showing/learner cannot proceed to the next chapter while completed all the required items for my learners and running into a dead end here. Continue buttons disappearing | Articulate - Community
First i thought it could be because the client end is getting a bad copy of the data/files from the LMS. Since this run into a dead end, i'm now trying to look and see what else could be the cause, or at least could give me some hints on where to look next... 😥
Attached is the suspend_data extracted from one of the cases. The learner is "stuck" at the end of the Chapter 10. I have gone through the chapter with the learner, all the interactive items/quiz have been completed. But it keep saying "Complete the previous knowledge checks to unlock this lesson"... (there are other cases as well, like the Continue button is not showing, or saying similar things.. asking user to complete previous items). Oh one thing, this happens only to some of the learner, not all the learner. Thanks in advance for anyone's help 🙏
Thank you! This is exactly what i was looking for!
