Do you have a backup? Yes! How often do you take backups? We have a backup of our database from the day of installation, so we can restore it to the initial state. Sorry, you don't have any backups. I don't know about you, but this scenario is so common that it scares me. Believe me, this hypnotic conversation can be heard even in large companies.
When it comes to a database, backups are something that you should consider and reconsider really carefully. Mistakes can cost you: money, users, data, and time, each of which can have bigger consequences. Backup and restore are elements of a much wider picture known as disaster recovery and it is a science itself. However, these two operations are the foundation for everything else.
In this chapter, you will learn:
- SQL Server recovery models
- How transaction log works
- Elements of backup strategy
- Backup and restore