BACKUP Statement

Syntax

BACKUP DATABASE {database_name | @database_name_var}
TO <backup_device> [,...n]
[WITH
[BLOCKSIZE = {blocksize | @blocksize_variable}]
[[,] DESCRIPTION = {text | @text_variable}]
[[,] DIFFERENTIAL]
[[,] EXPIREDATE = {date | @date_var}
| RETAINDAYS = {days | @days_var}]
[[,] FORMAT | NOFORMAT]
[[,] {INIT | NOINIT}]
[[,] MEDIADESCRIPTION = {text | @text_variable}]
[[,] MEDIANAME = {media_name | @media_name_variable}]
[[,] [NAME = {backup_set_name | @backup_set_name_var}]
[[,] {NOSKIP | SKIP}]
[[,] {NOUNLOAD | UNLOAD}]
[[,] [RESTART]

[[,] SNAPSHOT]
[[,] STATS [= percentage]]
]

The following restrictions apply if the SNAPSHOT option is given:

• The backup device must be a virtual device.
  
  
• Only a single virtual device may be specified.
  
  
• The following options may not be specified:
  • DIFFERENTIAL

It is expected that the application will specify PIPE-like behavior for the virtual device. This mode is write-only and implies FORMAT. In any case, the behavior of the command options will be as it is today for VDI.

Note   For complete documentation on the BACKUP statement, see SQL Server Books Online.