What format are mame roms kept these days ?

[UncleMame]

I could never figure out in the newer versions of Mame (1.39 and above) if the roms are kept as unsplit, splitlets, or merged ?  Anyone know?

[Thenasty]

I don;t think this has changed (if Parent ROM is no longer supported, that means every single games must have the PARENT file(s) like the BIOS file(s) from Neo-Geo, PC-10, etc... )


It's more of a personal choice.

To me, I keep mine as separate ZIP files.

[krick]

http://www.dweasel.com/agmfaq/index-4.html#ss4.3

There are three different types of MAME ROM sets:

Not Merged Sets - These involve EVERY ROM file being stored in EVERY ZIP file needed for a given game... This result its duplicity for several files and is very wasteful in disk space.

Split sets - This creates a number of Zip files, where the 'parent' ZIP file contains all the shared files the the 'child' needs. This also creates ZIP files for each child ZIP file that contains just the Rom Files that the child requires; but are not required by the parent. (advantages, If missing a set or a ROM, it is generally smaller and easier to locate... Most people use this system)

Merged sets - This idea removes the child / parent idea and allows for only parent Zip files. This singular Zip file contains all the ROMs required for every child based game. (advantages: less Zip files required.)

[NOP]

I'll chime in a bit with 2 cents.

While very wasteful of disk space, a not merged set is the easiest to maintain.  If you want to delete a game from your collection, just find the zip file and delete it.  You don't need to worry about rooting out all the parent roms, nor worry about breaking other games when you do delete one.

Also, space is cheap.

I personally flip between the two.  On a new system, I do an unmerged set while I'm developing the machine and working with the game lists to clean up the roms I want/don't want, then spit or merge from there depending on the machine, once I want to lock down the roms it will play.

[UncleMame]

That's good to know - I never could quite understand the reasons for the different sets.  As always, you guys are extremely helpful - THANKS!