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Category: Help & Support" Level: Beginner" Reading time: 5 minutes" Updated: 2026-02-07"

Release Notes

Latest Update: February 7, 2026 - PEBL 2.3 with new span tasks, improved data handling, and bug fixes

This page documents major updates, new features, and bug fixes for the PEBL Online Hub platform.

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February 7, 2026 - PEBL 2.3 Update

PEBL Version: 2.3 GitHub Snapshot: 2.3.0-7-g98131d1 Deployment Date: February 7, 2026

New Tests Added (9)

Working Memory Tasks:

  • Operation Span (OSPAN) - Complex working memory span task requiring participants to solve math problems while remembering letters. Includes automatic HTML performance reports with span scores and accuracy statistics.
  • Reading Span - Sentence comprehension and word recall task measuring verbal working memory capacity. Generates HTML reports with performance summaries.
  • Symmetry Span - Visual-spatial working memory task where participants judge symmetry while remembering spatial locations. Includes HTML performance reports.

Other Cognitive Tasks:

  • Affect Grid - Emotional state assessment tool using a 2D grid for valence and arousal ratings
  • Digit-Symbol Substitution - Processing speed and attention test with symbol-digit matching
  • Hicks (Choice Reaction Time) - Multi-alternative reaction time task with 2, 4, or 8 response options
  • Move to Target - Motor control and trajectory tracking assessment
  • Tracking Task - Continuous motor tracking performance with pursuit and compensatory modes
  • Two-Column Addition - Mental arithmetic assessment with timed column addition

Major Improvements

Enhanced Working Memory Tasks

All three span tasks (Operation, Reading, Symmetry) have been migrated to the modern Layout & Response System v2.3:

  • ✅ Automatic HTML performance reports with summary statistics and visualizations
  • ✅ Improved multilingual support (7 languages: EN, ES, DE, PT, FR, NL, IT)
  • ✅ Better adaptive timing and threshold enforcement for dual-task components
  • ✅ Professional formatted instructions with responsive layouts
  • ✅ JSON-based parameter schemas for easy configuration
  • ✅ Proportional scoring method with detailed performance breakdowns by set size

Improved Text Display System

  • ✅ Added formatted text support to all labels with proper baseline alignment
  • ✅ Fixed adaptive textbox line wrapping for better instruction display
  • ✅ Added hex color support for custom styling (e.g., #FF0000)
  • ✅ Improved line height calculation for multi-line text
  • ✅ Complete HTML-lite markup system for rich text formatting
  • ✅ Documentation added for markup system in help files

Data Upload Reliability

  • ✅ Fixed data upload for Stroop Color task - files now upload correctly after task completion
  • ✅ Added UploadFile() support to all 100+ battery tests for automatic online data sync
  • ✅ Improved file handling to prevent upload failures
  • ✅ Better error handling and logging for data collection

Bug Fixes

Critical Fixes:

  • Stroop Color Task - Fixed data upload issue where CSV files were not uploading correctly after task completion
  • Iowa Gambling Task - Fixed syntax errors preventing task execution
  • Matrix Rotation - Reformatted code and fixed display issues

Reliability Improvements:

  • Added proper InitializeUpload() calls to 40+ battery tests
  • Fixed file path handling in upload routines
  • Improved error messages for data collection issues

Translation Updates

Added or updated translations for:

  • Hicks Task - Complete 7-language support (EN, ES, DE, PT, FR, NL, IT)
  • Tracking Task - Complete 7-language support
  • TSP Task - Added/updated DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, PT, CN, EL translations
  • Span Tasks - Complete 7-language support for all three span tasks
  • 15+ other tasks - Minor translation improvements and fixes

Technical Improvements

Platform Updates:

  • Updated to PEBL 2.3 with WebAssembly optimizations
  • Improved HTTPS and JPEG support for better compatibility
  • Enhanced token-based authentication for hosted data servers
  • Better error handling and logging across all tests
  • FAQ now includes GitHub snapshot tracking for deployment transparency

Developer Experience:

  • Added release notes to help system for better update visibility
  • Improved deployment scripts with version tracking
  • Better documentation for HTML-lite markup system
  • Enhanced parameter schema validation

For Researchers

Backward Compatibility:

  • All updates are backward compatible
  • Ongoing studies will not be affected by these changes
  • Existing data collection continues without interruption

New Features Available:

  • Add new span tasks through study configuration interface
  • Use HTML reports for immediate participant feedback
  • Configure tests via JSON parameter files
  • Access multilingual versions for international studies

Getting Help:

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January 23, 2026 - Previous Deployment

PEBL Version: 2.3 GitHub Snapshot: cb2eaa5 Deployment Date: January 23, 2026

Updates

  • Routine maintenance and bug fixes
  • Performance improvements for data handling
  • Minor updates to existing battery tests

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How to Review Changes

For Developers:

You can review the exact changes between deployments using git:

``bash # View PEBL repository changes cd /path/to/pebl git log cb2eaa5..98131d1 # View commit details git show <commit_hash> # View file changes git diff cb2eaa5..98131d1 -- battery/ ` **GitHub Snapshot Format:** The snapshot format 2.3.0-7-g98131d1 indicates: - 2.3.0 - Most recent version tag - 7 - Number of commits since that tag - g98131d1` - Short commit hash (g = git)

This allows you to track exactly which version of PEBL is deployed and review all changes since the previous deployment.

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Reporting Issues

If you encounter any problems with new features or updates:

  1. Check the Troubleshooting Guide for common solutions
  2. Review the FAQ for known issues
  3. Contact platform administrators with:
  • Browser version and operating system
    • Steps to reproduce the issue
    • Error messages (if any)
    • PEBL version and GitHub snapshot (from FAQ)

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Stay Updated

Version Information:

Current platform version information is always available in the FAQ, including:

  • PEBL version number
  • GitHub snapshot (git describe output)
  • Full git commit hash
  • Commit date
  • Last deployment date

Mailing Lists:

Subscribe to PEBL mailing lists for announcements:

  • PEBL website: http://pebl.sourceforge.net

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Last Updated: February 7, 2026 Document Version: 1.0 Platform Version: 1.0.0

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