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What I Would Do If I Ran Tarsnap

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801 points tnorthcutt | 2 comments | 03 Apr 14 16:33 UTC | HN request time: 0.427s | source
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jordanlev ◴[03 Apr 14 20:35 UTC] No.7526381[source]▶
Could anyone explain in more detail this tidbit from the article:

> Did you want to backup your MySQL database? Did you backup the actual data files rather than a mysqldump? Sucks to be you...

What are the dangers of backing up the data files instead of a mysqldump?

replies(2): >>7526642 #>>7527320 #
1. patio11 ◴[03 Apr 14 21:03 UTC] No.7526642[source]▶
Briefly: that's a great way to get a backup which is not actually an accurate and consistent representation of your database, unless everything about both your setup and the exact state of MySQL's memory and your write usage over the interval of your backup operation breaks in your favor. For more detail, see the part about "Copying Table Files" in the backup chapter of the manual.
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2. jordanlev ◴[03 Apr 14 21:15 UTC] No.7526768[source]▶
Makes sense -- thanks.

I had a scary moment when I thought we were backing up our databases as data files... fortunately someone smarter than me set that up and in fact our backups are mysqldump's. Phew!