The BACKUP DATABASE Statement
The BACKUP DATABASE statement is used in SQL Server to create a full backup of an existing SQL database.
Syntax
BACKUP DATABASE databasename
TO DISK = 'filepath';
BACKUP DATABASE Example
The following SQL creates a full backup of the existing database "testDB" to the D drive:
Example
BACKUP DATABASE testDB
TO DISK = 'D:\backups\testDB.bak';
Tip: Always place the backup database in a different drive than the original database! If you get a disk crash, you will not lose your backup file along with the database.
The BACKUP WITH DIFFERENTIAL Statement
A differential backup only captures the data that has changed since the last full backup.
A differential backup requires at least one prior full backup!
Syntax
BACKUP DATABASE databasename
TO DISK = 'filepath'
WITH
DIFFERENTIAL;
BACKUP WITH DIFFERENTIAL Example
The following SQL creates a differential backup of the database "testDB":
Example
BACKUP DATABASE testDB
TO DISK = 'D:\backups\testDB.bak'
WITH
DIFFERENTIAL;
Tip: A differential backup reduces the backup time (since only the changes are backed up).