The SQL BACKUP DATABASE Statement
The BACKUP DATABASE statement is used to create a full back up of a database.
Syntax
BACKUP DATABASE databasename TO DISK = 'backupfilepath';
Example
The following SQL statement generates a full back up of "TestDatabase" database to the 'C:\SQLBackups\TestDatabase.bak' location:
BACKUP DATABASE TestDatabase TO DISK = 'C:\SQLBackups\TestDatabase.bak';
The SQL BACKUP WITH DIFFERENTIAL Statement
Taking a differential back up only backs up the changes of the database since the last full database backup.
Syntax
BACKUP DATABASE databasename TO DISK = 'backupfilepath' WITH DIFFERENTIAL;
Example
The following SQL statement generates a back up of "TestDatabase" database changes since last full database backup to the 'C:\SQLBackups\TestDatabase.bak' location:
BACKUP DATABASE TestDatabase TO DISK = 'C:\SQLBackups\TestDatabase.bak' WITH DIFFERENTIAL;