February 28, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Hi All,
I created several backup devices through my sql 2005 management console to backup a number of db's on a server with sql 2000. I noticed that the backup files have a file extension of .dat and not .bak. I tested a restore and although they were successful the table's that should have data in them dont seem to.
Firstly, why have they got a file extension of .dat and not .bak? When creating the devices in 2005 it gives a .bak extension, but also in theory this can be left blank.
Secondly, what can i do to retrieve the data that has been input, the backup job has overwritten to this file daily, but not saving the data in the tables?
Any help would be appreciated.
March 1, 2009 at 7:10 am
SSMS / database / backup GUI presents the last known filename that has been used to create a backup.
As you've stated, what's in an extention. It can be anything.
If you created a fullbackup, it contains everything from that database !
So ...... including data.
Inspect your backup file if it contains more than one backup.
restore headeronly disk=N'thebackupfilepathandname'
and
restore filelistonly disk=N'thebackupfilepathandname'
will provide more info.
Johan
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March 2, 2009 at 9:56 am
I believe we used .dat in the old days (pre v6.5) at some point. That and .dmp were used, but they were by convention, no reason not to use them. I'd move to .bak just to prevent confusion.
As Johan mentions, the GUI remembers your last choice.
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