SQL Backup DB

Creating a backup of your database is essential for data protection and recovery. In SQL Server, the BACKUP DATABASE statement is used to make a full copy of your database and store it in a specified file location.

SQL Backup DB Syntax

BACKUP DATABASE database_name
TO DISK = 'file_path.bak';

BACKUP DATABASE database_name

TO DISK = 'file_path.bak';

SQL Backup DB Example

This command creates a full backup of the StudentRecords database and saves it to the specified file path on the D: drive.

BACKUP DATABASE StudentRecords
TO DISK = 'D:\Backups\StudentRecords_Full.bak';

BACKUP DATABASE StudentRecords

TO DISK = 'D:\Backups\StudentRecords_Full.bak';

SQL Backup DB With Differential

A differential backup captures only the changes made since the last full backup. This is faster and uses less space than performing a full backup each time.

SQL Backup DB With Differential Syntax

BACKUP DATABASE database_name
TO DISK = 'file_path.bak'
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

BACKUP DATABASE database_name

TO DISK = 'file_path.bak'

WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

SQL Backup DB With Differential Example

This command creates a differential backup of StudentRecords, storing only the changes made since the last full backup.

BACKUP DATABASE StudentRecords
TO DISK = 'D:\Backups\StudentRecords_Diff.bak'
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

BACKUP DATABASE StudentRecords

TO DISK = 'D:\Backups\StudentRecords_Diff.bak'

WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

SQL Backup DB Visual Diagram

SQL Backup DB Labs