SQL Reference

Quick Reference

The BACKUP DATABASE keywords are used in SQL Server to create a full back up of an existing SQL database.

Full Backup

The following creates a full back up of the existing database “Customers_db” to the specified path.

BACKUP DATABASE Customers_db
TO DISK = '\my-backups\Customers_db.bak';

DIFFERENTIAL Backup

A differential back up only backs up the parts of the database that have changed since the last full database backup.

The following creates a differential back up of the existing database “Customers_db” to the specified path.

BACKUP DATABASE Customers_db
TO DISK = '\my-backups\Customers_db.bak'
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

SQL Notes:

  • Any work being done to modify the structure of a database or delete tables or the the database itself should only be done after making a recent backup

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