sql server programming: Hello,

If i have a copy of the .ldf and .mdf from a database is
that the same as a backup of all the data? Does these
files contain all the data up until the time of te intital

To add to Greg's response, it is not guaranteed that you can attach database
files unless the database was properly detached.

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Hope this helps.

Dan Guzman
SQL Server MVP


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Hi,
These two files are the Data file and Transaction log file of your database.
Having copies of these is not the same as a backup. You can recover from
them but the problem is you can't copy them unless the SQL Server is down.
Also if you system crashes these files can be corrupted or in the very least
transactions can be invalid.

The best way to ensure your database if backed up correctly is to use the
standard SQL Backup command and backup to disk. Then nightly backup these
files

I follow this procedure in backing up my systems

Nightly
Backup all user databases

Hourly during business hours
Do a transactional backup

Weekly
Backup the system databases

All of this can be scheduled using Database Maintenance Plans


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I hope this helps
regards
Greg O MCSD
http://www.ag-software.com/ags_scribe_index.asp. SQL Scribe Documentation
Builder, the quickest way to document your database
http://www.ag-software.com/ags_SSEPE_index.asp. AGS SQL Server Extended
Property Extended properties manager for SQL 2000
http://www.ag-software.com/IconExtractionProgram.asp. Free icon extraction
program
http://www.ag-software.com. Free programming tools



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