MAMEWorld Forums - Programming

I've been playing around with .lay files to create new effects. Remember, I'm just getting started to understand MAME, so my question may seem retarded to you.

I can manipulate .lay files within their normal limits pretty well, so I think I understand how they work with MAME reasonably so. I'm also reasonable (although self-taught) with c code.

My challenge arises because I'm trying to do more with a .lay file than it was probably originally intended to do.

I assumed .lay files were executed by MAME.exe, so I was trying to add c code scripting into a .lay file. Since my c code scripts put within .lay files don't work at all, I gather either:
1. They are not executed the way I thought they were, they merely define parameters.
2. They are executed, but straight c code script isn't recognized from a .lay file outside of what MAME is looking for (I can't define new functions from there).
3. I've had a stroke, and a small nudge will provide new clarity.

Thanks