Re: Backup Database Question

Carlos Mennens <carlos.mennens@gmail.com> writes:
> So I'm looking to start regularly backing up my production database at
> work. I'm tired of doing it manually every day before I go home. I use
> the built in 'pg_dump' or 'pg_dumpall' utilities however I don't know
> which is more beneficial for a nightly backup. Perhaps I should be
> using the 'pg_dumpall' as a weekly / full backup only and not perform
> this nightly but honestly I have no idea so I'm asking the experts
> here. When should I use 'pg_dump' & 'pg_dumpall'? Is there a downside
> to just backing up the entire database cluster nightly besides I/O
> load and sacrificing system performance?

Use pg_dumpall.  The extra time to dump the user and database
definitions is unlikely to be noticeable, and if push comes to shove
you'll be glad you had them.

            regards, tom lane