How to Back Up MySQL with mysqldump

What this is

mysqldump creates a logical backup (SQL file) of MySQL/MariaDB databases.

What it is for

• Backup before updates or migrations
• Restore data after mistakes

Prerequisites

• MySQL/MariaDB installed
• Credentials for a user with backup privileges
• Enough disk space for the dump

Step-by-step

Backup one database

mysqldump -u appuser -p appdb > appdb_backup.sql

Expected output: Usually silent; file is created.

Backup all databases (admin use)

mysqldump -u root -p --all-databases > all_databases_backup.sql

Compress the backup (recommended)

gzip -k appdb_backup.sql

Verify the file

ls -lah *.sql *.gz
head -n 20 appdb_backup.sql

Warnings & notes

• Large databases can create huge dumps; consider compression and off-server storage.
• Keep backup files protected; they may contain sensitive data.

Conclusion

mysqldump is the simplest reliable backup format. Next step: automate it and store backups safely.