What are MAME samples?

[NorseChief]

I know this is a noob question but I see there is the option to get MAME samples for your emulator.

I was wondering what you are supposed to do with these MAME samples? What are they meant for?

Also, where am I supposed to put the history dat files from utilities?

[FatTrucker]

The samples go in a folder called 'samples' in your main Mame directory. They are used in conjunction with games that either doesn't have emulated sound or used external sound samples via another device (like a Tape). Mame will automatically use the correct one's with the game if they are present in the samples folder.

Just put the history.dat in your main Mame folder, you can then view it in conjuction with things like MameUI in the gamelist menu.

[Clive82]

only a few games need samples and all are pre 1986

if you view your games as details in the field samples

no: means the game needs samples but you don't have them
yes: means the game needs samples and you do have them
blank: means samples are not needed