Guide on SQL BACKUP DATABASE for SQL Server

Have you ever wondered if you could backup your database from time to time from your scripts so that in any eventuality, you will have you data intact.

Sometimes you might have performed an erroneous drop query or update query that messes up your database data completely. However, having fully backed up the data like in this tutorial will save your day:

The SQL BACKUP DATABASE Statement

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

Syntax

BACKUP DATABASE databasename
TO DISK = 'filepath';

The SQL BACKUP WITH DIFFERENTIAL Statement

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

Syntax

BACKUP DATABASE databasename
TO DISK = 'filepath'
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

BACKUP DATABASE Example

The following SQL statement creates a full back up of the existing database "testDB" to the D disk:

Example 

BACKUP DATABASE testDB
TO DISK = 'D:\backups\testDB.bak';

Tip: Always back up the database to a different drive than the actual database. Then, if you get a disk crash, you will not lose your backup file along with the database.

BACKUP WITH DIFFERENTIAL Example

The following SQL statement creates a differential back up of the database "testDB":

Example

BACKUP DATABASE testDB
TO DISK = 'D:\backups\testDB.bak'
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;

Tip: A differential back up reduces the back up time (since only the changes are backed up).