For an instructor lead, in-depth look at learning SQL click below.
As an SQL Server professional or even a beginner, you’re bound to understand its importance not only in handling data, but also safeguarding it. One major way to do this is through backups. This article will walk you through the basics of SQL Server Backup and its Restoration.
SQL Server Backup is a saved copy of your SQL database, which can be used to restore your data after a failure. To backup an SQL Server Database, you can use the SQL BACKUP DATABASE command.
The SQL Server Backup
For example, if you have a database named ‘TestDB’, you can back up the database using the BACKUP DATABASE command as follows:
|
1 2 3 4 5 |
BACKUP DATABASE TestDB TO DISK = 'D:\TestDB.Bak' WITH FORMAT; |
This script will create a new backup file named TestDB.Bak in the D: drive.
Here to note, the keyword ‘WITH FORMAT’ formats the backup media. Be careful when using this option as it removes all existing backup sets on the backup media.
The SQL Server Restore
Restoring a database is the process of copying backup data and recovering the database to a specified point in time.
To restore the TestDB database from the backup, you can use the following RESTORE DATABASE SQL command:
|
1 2 3 4 |
RESTORE DATABASE TestDB FROM DISK = 'D:\TestDB.Bak'; |
This SQL command will restore the ‘TestDB’ database from the backup file ‘TestDB.Bak’ that we have created earlier.
The Importance of SQL Server Backup and Restore
Regular backups are vital for every business, databases hold crucial and sensitive data and in unexpected scenarios of system failures or crashes, data can easily be restored from the backups. The backup and restore strategy helps to preserve data integrity and save businesses from losing their valuable information.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, SQL BACKUP and RESTORE commands are easy to use and highly efficient. Remember to always back up your data for safekeeping and use the restore command diligently when unavoidable system crashes or failures occur.