Re: How to copy a database

Valery Fouques (valou@hotmail.com) wrote: > Do NOT use onload or onunload, since it's not reliable. > Don't even use 4MM DAT, because it's even less reliable. > A good method to unload a table (or tables for a database) is this : > mkfifo fifo > dd if=fifo|compress|of=table.unl.Z & > echo "unload to fifo select * from table"|dbaccess database > After the completion of the unload, you have an unl file in compressed > format...Since unl files are text files, the compression rate can rise > up to 10:1 (depends on the contents of your columns). > If you have online 7.20, try and use the ipload, which loads and unloads > table at a terrific speed.... > Bye. > Valery Fouques - SYSADM Gosport/FRANCE True, onunload is not reliable enough for backup purposes, however it is the easiest and FASTEST way to copy an entire database. Besides, the original post requested methods of copying databases for testing purposes. I've never had an unrecoverable failure while copying databases or tables with these tools. Kevin Brand