What are the Methods for Backing up my MS SQL Database?
There are several methods for backing up a MS SQL database.
- Dump
- A copy of the database in ASCII(text) form. This file uses a series of SQL statements that build the database. This is the most common format to backup a MS SQL database and can be obtained through your account manager.
- XML Export
- A copy of the database in CSV or XML format. This format provides the data with no style or structure. This format can be obtained through your account manager.
NOTE: A copy of the database in .CSV format can only be imported.
- Backup (.bak file)
- A single file that contains all of the database content and structure. This format can be directly imported to another MS SQL server. For more information, see Backing Up a SQL Server Database.
For more information about backing up your MS SQL database, see How do I export a SQL Server Database?