Written Assignment Unit 5

University of the People

CS 3306 - Databases 2

December 20th, 2023

 Introduction

This week, I tried to understand data backup and recovery methods, especially in the context of

database management. I have extensively studied the topics of differential and incremental

backups. Here is my opinion on this topic of data backup and recovery methods:

Differential Backups

The concept of differential backups is quite fascinating to me. These backups essentially capture

all the data changes that have occurred since the last full backup. This strategy means that each

differential backup is a record of all changes made since that full backup was taken (Simic

,2022). I find this method particularly beneficial for scenarios where data changes are frequent

but not necessarily daily. The restoration process is simplified since it requires only the latest full

backup and the most recent differential backup for a complete recovery. But, I also see a

downside: as the interval since the last full backup increases, the size of the differential backups

also grows. This growth could lead to extended backup times and increased storage

requirements, as noted in the article by Simic (2022).

Incremental Backups

Now we talk about incremental backups, the primary difference I observed is their operational

efficiency. Unlike differential backups, incremental backups focus on saving only the data that

has changed since the last backup, which could be a full backup or a previous incremental

backup (Lily, 2023). This method is notably advantageous in terms of storage space, as it

requires considerably less than differential backups. But the restoration process is quite complex.

To restore data fully, one needs not only the full backup but also all subsequent incremental
backups (Lily, 2023). This multi-layered restoration process can be time-consuming and

intricate. Also, the risk of failed or incomplete recovery is heightened if any part of the backup

sequence is damaged/ (author/year

Comparative Analysis and Strategic Considerations

In my analysis, I have found that both differential and incremental backups offer unique benefits

and have distinct challenges. The choice between these two methods should be based on an

organization's specific data management needs. According to Lily (2023), factors such as the

volume of data, frequency of backups, and the importance of rapid data restoration play a crucial

role in this decision-making process.

According to Simic (2022), differential backups might be more suitable for environments where

data changes are not excessively frequent but still significant. On the other hand, incremental

backups are ideal for environments where minimizing storage space is a priority, and data

changes occur more frequently. It's not just about choosing one method over the other; it's about

understanding the specific data dynamics of the organization and applying the most suitable

backup strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

I’ll conclude this assignment by saying that both differential and incremental backups have their

place in the realm of database management. They each have their strengths and weaknesses,

which must be weighed against the specific requirements and capabilities of the database

environment they are being used in.

 References

Simic, S. (2022, August 15). Full vs Incremental vs Differential Backup: A Comparison.

https://phoenixnap.com/kb/full-vs-incremental-vs-differential-backup

Lily. (2023, September 15). Incremental vs Differential Backup: Which Is Better?

https://www.ubackup.com/articles/incremental-vs-differential-backup.html