Backing up databases....

[arpith]

Hello,

I was wondering how small websites backup their database. As far as I know, for a mySQL database, you could 'mysql'dump the info, and make the backup, what is the usual method though?

Can you guys please give me a better idea?

Thanks
Arpith

[Karl]

I use the Dump feature of phpMyAdmin for all my MySQL databases.

------------------
Karl Austin
KDA Web Services
"Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

[arpith]

Oh!

I'll take a look at it.

Arpith

[freddydoesphp]

You can also use it right from your command line. if you telnet in to your sevrer or if you have access already you can use
mysqldump yourdatabsename > somefile.sql

This will dump the structure and data of the whole database into a file called somefile.sql

[arpith]

Does the mysqldump work for individual users also, or is it restricted to the root user only?

Arpith

[mkaufman]

I use phpMyAdmin

But instead of just having the file backup display on the screen, can you make it so it imports into a real file? thanks..

------------------
Webmasters' Network
WebDevHQ.com - The Web Developer Headquarters
WebmasterChronicles.com - FREE online newsletter!

[freddydoesphp]

To Arpith
Yes if you have access to a shell account and a mysql account then you should have access to use mysqldump

To Matt
In PhpMyAmin when you use the dump you want to check structure and data and check the send checkobix this will send it to a file

[mkaufman]

Oh thanks a lot! I always froze my computer (almost) doing it the other way because I had to copy and paste all the data into a text file

[TWTCommish]

So, dumping an SQL database to a file (like, say, database.sql) is basically making a copy for backup? If so, where is this file stored?

[Karl]

If you do the dump from the commandline I believe the dump is done to whereever you specify as the output file.

If you use phpMyAdmin then it gives you a save as dialog in your browser so it downloads it to your local machine.

With the latest MySQL and MyISAM tables you can just copy the database files from the server straight over to you Desktop machine (Regardless of what OS you run on each of the machines), but most of the time the user you log into the server as will not have access to the database files on the server