Overview

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4D v16.3

Overview

4D includes a full database backup and restore module.

This module allows backing up a database currently in use without having to exit it. Each backup can include the structure file, the data file and any additional files or folders. These parameters are first set in the Database Settings.

Backups can be started manually or automatically at regular intervals without any user intervention. Specific language commands, as well as specific database methods, allow integrating backup functions into a customized interface.

Databases can be restored automatically when a damaged database is opened.

Also, the integrated backup module can take advantage of the log file. This file keeps a record of all operations performed on the data and also ensures total security between two backups. In case of problems with a database in use, any operations missing in the data file are automatically reintegrated the next time the database is opened. You can view the log file contents at any time.

The integrated backup module allows you to:

Start a complete backup of database files at any time (structure file, data file, log file, attached files, etc),
Set up automatic backups at regular intervals — on a hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis,
Set advanced parameters for backups (number of sets, file compression, options for startup after a restore, etc),
Automatically restore a database and its attached files in case of incident,
Automatically integrate missing operations stored in the log file into a restored database,
Roll back operations performed on database data.

Note: You can also implement alternative solutions for replicating and synchronizing data in order to maintain identical versions of databases for backup purposes. These solutions can be based on the following mechanisms and technologies:

Setting up a logical mirror with 4D Server (using the integrated backup module mechanisms): see Setting up a logical mirror in the 4D Server Reference manual.
Synchronization using SQL: see Replication via SQL in the 4D - SQL Reference manual.
Synchronization using HTTP: see URL 4DSYNC/ in the 4D Language Reference manual.

Note: For a general overview of 4D's security features, see the 4D Security guide.