[ARCHIVED] What do the numbers represent in the filenames of submission downloads?

[RonaldGuymon]

Hello, when I download submissions for an assignment, the filenames appear to have the students' last and first name added on, as well as two sets of numbers. What do those numbers mean?

Thanks!

[mzimmerman · Accepted solution]

Ronald,

Typically, that kind of thing is done to avoid possible "collusions" of files with the same name.  It's usually based on something like the timestamp when the file was submitted, though I'm not positive how Canvas does it.  You should not assume that the numbers "mean" anything in particular for the instructor.

[RonaldGuymon]

Thanks, mZimmerman. I was hoping that the numbers included some form of time stamp so that I could download all the files and record the submission time and date based on the file name. It sounds like that won't work, though. Not a big deal. I appreciate your answer.

Best regards,

Ron

[mzimmerman]

Hey Ron,

It may be derived from the timestamp, I'm not sure, but I don't see any (simple, obvious) way to decipher it.

Mike