Saving and Roms
 

If I were to save my game while playing a FFIV Rom using SNES9x (using the in game save feature, not the save state feature of SNES9x), would the save information be stored on the Rom? Or would it be stored somewhere else? In other words, if I were to begin using ZSNES to play FFIV instead of SNES9x, would I be able to leave off from my FFIV save point?

It should work since the SRAM data saved is exactly the same as when it's saved to the cart, you might have to change the file extension though. There is a case when saving data will change your ROM, it only occurs in the case of Famicom Disk System ROMs and only if you specifically allow it.

Although using snapshots is superior to SRAM, unless you use them to cheat. In which case they're twice as superior.

I was pretty certain that the SRAM data was saved to an external file by the name [rom's name].srm, or at least, it is for ZSNES. That way when you download a ROM, it's a clean copy, with none of the last player's saves as long as it's just the .smc file. For ZSNES, the states are saved as .zst, .zs1, .zs2, et cetera. I don't know what file formats SNES9x uses. But it also utilizes outside files, at any rate.

Perhaps they use an identical file format and only the emulation of the hardware is different? That's unlikely though.

Alright, I found the .srm file associated with my FFIV rom, which essentially answers my question. Thank you for your thorough answers.

Why are snapshots superior to SRAM?

I think he means Save States, and they're not "superior" but they do load a lot faster. Basically, instead of loading your game data from within the game you have the emulator return to the exact state it was in at the moment you saved. Although there are some instances where this can actually screw up your game.

Save states tend to mess up if you've saved them with different emulator version. At least that happened to me with Seiken Densetsu 3. :/
I've been using SRAM save whenever possible since then.

Why are they superior ?

Because :

1) You can save up to 10
2) They can each hold their own SRM if you want.
3) You can save/load anywhere anytime.

Now, how about that

That does make sense, thanks for the info.

Here's the advantages and Disadavntages of SRAM and Savestates:

SRAM:
Advantages:
1. Very small filesize
2. Cross emulator compatible (at least it should be, unless the emualtor handles SRAM in a shitty way).
3. True to how the game should be played
4. Should work with every version of the ROM that uses it (occasionally in the case of the same ROM from different regions)
5. Doesn't crap out after 10 years like in the real carts (just had to say it)

Disadvantages:
1. Doesn't save exact state
2. Some games use an SRAM feature as copy protection (meaning it tries to save SRAM data, and if it succedes, the ROM won't run properly or at all)
3. Not all ROMs support it
4. Only good for game saves

Savestates:
Advantages:
1. Saves the EXACT state of the ROM
2. Lets you cheat
3. Serves functions other than just for gameplay (like ROM hacking).

Disadvantages:
1. Not always cross-emulator compatible
2. Faulty in some emulators (like Sega CD states in Gens, they are a hack/bug)
3. Lets you cheat
4. Large filesize
5. Doesn't always work with different versions of the same game