MDF file

  • Hello,

    I am pretty new to Database Administration. I have a small and silly question

    I created a full backup of the database and the size of the file is 40 GB.....when i checked the size of MDF(data) file, its only 25 GB.......Since the full backup contains all the data in a specific database i thought the size of the full backup and the size of the data file(MDF) should be the same...How come they are different????

    Regards,

    Sandeep

  • Are there any .ndf files for that database? How big's the log file (.ldf)?

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • From Books On Line (The SQL help file)

    ms-help://MS.SQLCC.v9/MS.SQLSVR.v9.en/udb9/html/09a6e0c2-d8fd-453f-9aac-4ff24a97dc1f.htm This portion of BOL is a lot of reading, but well worth it!!

    Full backup

    A full backup contains all the data in a specific database or set of filegroups or files, and also enough log to allow for recovering that data.

    - emphasis added

    If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    Ron

    Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
    Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

  • When I see a backup file that is larger than the database, the first thing I think is that the backup file has more than one backup in it. When you setup your backup, did you define a single device and select the append option?

    Jeffrey Williams
    “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

    ― Charles R. Swindoll

    How to post questions to get better answers faster
    Managing Transaction Logs

  • 1.Check the RESTORE FILELISTONLY to find how many data & log files are there in your backset.

    2. You might have appended to the same backup device thats the reason the size is different.

    Cheers,

    Got an idea..share it !!

    DBA_Vishal

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