Backup Using Export

[dba_basesii]

Hi, i am using Oracle 8i, and for my class they asked me if it was a really good idea to use as a backup method the export function that oracle uses. I wanna know if you would really recommend using this method as a backup method?

Thanks in Advance.

[davey23uk]

nope

[dbtoo]

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B....htm#sthref606

"Logical-level backups, such as exporting database objects like tables or tablespaces, are a useful supplement to physical backups for some purposes. Nevertheless, logical backups cannot protect your entire database. An effective backup strategy must be based on physical-level backups."

[OracleDisected]

Talking about release 8i, export is fine ... but try to restrict access to users in order to get a good picture of data. Yes , it's analogous to taking pictures on the road: the faster you travel, more blur is your photo -> user's transactions will make 'blur' your backup. May use exp parameter CONSISTENT=y to reduce in some extent this effect.

If you're learning Oracle, my suggestion is a jump to 9i or better 10g (Oracle will put 9i on extended support beginning mid 2008) and getting into RMAN.

[dbtoo]

"export is fine" for what?

http://download-west.oracle.com/docs...pst.htm#423496

"Note that Database exports are not a substitute for whole database backups and cannot provide the same complete recovery advantages that the built-in functionality of Oracle offers."

[pando]

fine to restore some static tables and pl/sql codes but nothing else

[dbtoo]

Exactly Pando - my concern was that one junior member may mislead another junior member by their choice of words. In the original post, the question came out of information from a class. I hope that the class would not leave the student with any doubt as to what backup and recovery is.

http://download-west.oracle.com/docs...tro.htm#423027