Database Backups

• Because MySQL tables are stored as files, it is easy to do a backup.

• To get a consistent backup:
  • Apply LOCK TABLES on the relevant tables.
    • A read lock is all that is necessary.
      • This allows other clients to continue to query the tables while making a copy of the files in the database directory.
  • Follow with FLUSH TABLES for the tables.
    • The FLUSH TABLES statement is needed to ensure all active index pages are written to disk before the backup begins.

What is the LOCK TABLES syntax?

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© 2007 John Michael Pierobon

Notes