The difference between save state and save file

[blue76543210]

What happens to my save file if I load up a save state from the beginning of the game (Level 1 for example), and the game saves my progress while I'm in that save state? If I restart Dolphin at that point and start playing from the save file (without relying on any save states), will I resume play from the beginning of the game, as opposed to how far I made it into the game (Level 8 for example)?

If that's the case, then should everything be fine if I made a save state at Level 8, and if the game happens to save my progress while I'm in the Level 1 game state, I can simply load up the Level 8 game state and have the game save my progress there?

I tried to make this as easy to read as possible. =/

[Aleron Ives]

How well save states work depends upon the game. Some games, such as the Pokemon series, have lots of anti-copying protection on their save files, and using save states tends to make your save file invalid, thus forcing you to start over from scratch if you want to be able to save your progress again. The general rule is that you should never use save states unless you're either a) testing something that would take a lot longer if you were using memory card saves and don't care if the save states corrupt your save file or b) you have enough memory card backups to revert whatever damage using save states might cause. YMMV.

[nikeymikey]

Tony hawk pro skater 3 is another game that does not like save states, will tell you the memory card is corrupted after using a save state.