Purpose of Config files?

[Koop]

Ok, total noob question. What are the config files used for that I see mention of every once in a while. For example, this post:

http://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/3-user-submitted-configs-map-files-wrappers-and-databases-uploads/page__st__20__p__53501#entry53501

From my experience I can configure emulators simply by opening the program and changing settings. Or I can configure GameEx to set certain settings upon launch, etc. Do these config files simply do that work for you? How would that work since everyone's installation is different, and their preferences for settings would be different too? I'm just trying to understand what they are used for, maybe I should be using them too.

For that matter, what are Map Files, Wrappers and Databases for?

Thanks.

[fRequEnCy]

Configs:

Config files are used to import the basic settings. Most important is the command-line needed to run in GameEx. A config will still require some setting up by the user (i.e. paths to roms). As far as settings based on the users hardware, those settings are usually set within the emulator itself.

Map Files:

Map files are files used to change the name the rom for listing. This usually applies to ARCADE roms mostly but others as well. For example a rom could be named sf2.zip but we sure wouldn't wanna see that in GameEx because most people won't understand what that means. Street Fighter II has a much better explanation of what the game is. So this is where map files are used. It simply tells GameEx to launch the rom name but translate it only for viewing in the list.

Below is an example of the formats:

sf2|Street Fighter II

or:

sf2 "Street Fighter II"

Wrappers:

Wrappers are sometimes required to make an emulator work when that emulator has no CLI. Meaning it only works with a GUI. A wrapper is a script which automates the process of these emulators to enter in the data needed to make a rom work. For instance, a wrapper will open the emulator, click on File, click on Open, then paste the rom name in the box, then send Enter.

Databases:

Databases are used to give a description, publisher, date, category, etc. to the rom. This gives great detail on knowing more about the game for the user.

[Tom Speirs]

That's a keeper.

[fRequEnCy]

That's a keeper.

[Tempest]

That's a keeper.

That's what I was thinking.

[Koop]

you are awesome, although I'm still unsure if I should be using config files. I'm getting by just fine right now. Although I haven't had to do a full backup/restore, so I don't know the pain of having to go through all the configuration changes I've made so far, again. Maybe if I understood what the config files did, but the the ones in the forum link I provided don't seem to have any information about what they do. It is just someone saying "here, I made these" but I don't know what they do. I can't tell if they are superior than my configuration. I'm only asking because I like to do things right the first time, but I'm still not understanding the true benefit of them. Can someone give me an example of when they come in handy? Thanks.

[nullPointer]

It’s sort of a tough question in that it’s a bit general. Here’s some additional information regarding config files as they pertain to GameEx.

In the context that fReq describes config files, you already are using config files for the purposes of GameEx (in the form of your GameEx.ini). Every emulator you set up in GameEx will have a corresponding configuration section in GameEx.ini. If you export your settings for any given emulator from the Setup Wizard, it pulls that information from the GameEx.ini.

Another term you’ll hear around here from time to time is an advanced config file. This is different from the GameEx.ini file seen above. An advanced config allows you to pull off custom functionality for any specific emulator set up through GameEx. It’s here that you can instruct GameEx to watch a specific process (so that it knows when the emulator process is running and when to return to the frontend), or modify the keys used to exit an emulator, etc. I’m forgetting/not listing at least a dozen other things that can be accomplished with advanced config files in GameEx. They are very powerful in the context of GameEx.

Ultimately the answer so far is that if GameEx is responding in a way that you’d expect and you’re satisfied with the results, you’re doing it right.

Having said all of that it sounds like you might be talking about the settings you adjust at the emulator level (i.e. controller mapping, the resolution at which to display games, emulator plug-in settings, etc.). In that context config files can mean any number of things and will vary from one emulator to the next. Some emulators use config files and some do not (I wish they all did). Some emulators store config files in the same directory as the emulator, whereas some store settings in your AppData directory. Heck some emulators store settings in the registry (eww . . . ).

So in that context, the question is a bit too general, and would need to be addressed in a fashion specific to what you’re trying to achieve.

[Koop]

I see, well I guess I didn't know enough to ask any specific questions, but this helps. Right now I've just been configuring the basic emulator settings (as you said, re-mapping keys, resolutions, fullscreen, etc). That's all I've needed, but I could imagine a few situations where more advanced settings are needed.

I have one final question, I'm using an IPAC and I've read that it can be configured on the fly for specific emulators or even specific games. I suppose there could be specific games where using this feature is really the only option, but in general I'm trying to figure out how configuring on the fly would be easier than just permanently remapping the control settings within the emulator beforehand. I will say I have noticed some emulators have keys that cannot be remapped (admin keys) while the basic player keys can. So I could see on the fly re-mapping used there. So really the only legitimate use I can see for this feature is if a certain game just felt much more comfortable to be played with a different button arrangement than what the default keys would be mapped to, but you don't want to change the keys for all your other games. Is that the primary purpose of this IPAC feature am I missing something? I'm not sure if my question even relates to our prior discussion, but I think it does.

[Koop]

I just wanted to bump this topic in case anyone had an answer to my last question about the real benefit of on-the-fly IPAC configurations.

[bkenobi]

I suggest you consider a lack of response as a response. Meaning, no one here can see the reason to intentionally set a system up in that way. IMO, the IPAC has a flash chip on it that is good for a certain number of flashes (probably on the order of 1000 or 10,000). Your computer on the other hand, doesn't have any limitation on the number of times you adjust the configuration of any or all emulators and their inputs. If it were me, I'd remap things on the computer side once you have the IPAC set up in a way that makes sense. Meaning, remap it from the default MAME set so that special keys are NOT in use and then configure each emulator to use that mapping.

[Draco1962]

Sometimes a lack of response may mean the thread became buried under subsquent threads due to other issues. I know I cannot answer as I do not have experience with ipac nor am I all that experienced with many emulators to speak intelligently about the subject.

[Koop]

Alright thanks. Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone by bumping the post. I was more or less having a back-and-forth with the other responders until my last question and then nothing. So I just thought they were busy for a week and the thread was descending far down the list.

Anyway, like I said, I'm getting by fine so far. I just heard about other features of the IPAC and it wasn't really clear to me what the real purpose of it was. I thought I'd get the advice of those using GameEx too.

[Draco1962]

Can't speak for anyone else, but I wasn't offended. Sometimes when there is a lot of activity a thread or two will get lost.