/**
  * Perform the necessary preprocessing for the hint fields.
  * @param object $question the data being passed to the form.
  * @return object $question the modified data.
  */
 protected function data_preprocessing_hints($question, $withclearwrong = false, $withshownumpartscorrect = false)
 {
     if (empty($question->hints)) {
         return $question;
     }
     parent::data_preprocessing_hints($question, $withclearwrong, $withshownumpartscorrect);
     $question->hintoptions = array();
     foreach ($question->hints as $hint) {
         $question->hintoptions[] = $hint->options;
     }
     return $question;
 }