A backup is a backup copy.
Backup is a term that is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). It is a word from the English language that is used in the field of technology and computing .
A backup is a file that is a copy of another and that functions as a backup in case the original is lost . That is why the concept can be translated as backup copy , backup copy , reserve copy or backup copy .
Importance of backup
The backup is useful on multiple occasions. It can be used to restore a file or system when the original content was accidentally deleted or corrupted by a virus, for example.
Another possibility is that the backup is used to store historical data , which can be moved to different locations. In the same way, a backup can be made when the hard drive (hard drive) is close to its capacity limit and documents need to be deleted.
The backup can be done in the cloud (online).
Process development
The first step when carrying out a backup is to select the files you want to protect . It must be considered that, although cloud storage may be immense, it is still finite: that is, the capacity can be filled. If the backup is made on a CD , DVD or other physical medium, the capacity is more limited.
Therefore, you must define which files will be copied to create the backup. One option is to compress them so that they take up less space. Then you must choose where the backup will be stored: Internet , CD , DVD , pendrive , external disk , etc.
It should be noted that there are tools that perform backup automatically . Every day or week, at a specific time, the copy is automatically made and saved.
Backup types
Depending on the way it is done, there are different types of backup. The full backup is the most complex and expensive since it means that all the files on a computer are copied.
Once there is a full backup, it is common to then decide whether to continue with a differential backup or an incremental backup . In the case of differential backup, only those documents that were modified with respect to the last complete copy that was made are copied.
Incremental backup, on the other hand, implies that edited files are copied taking into account a previous version of the backup, whether complete or not.
Example of creating a backup
Suppose a person stores thousands of family photographs on their computer . What you do is take the images with a digital camera or phone and then store them on your PC 's hard drive.
To avoid losing this content due to possible failures or damage, copy all the documents and save them both on DVD and on an online storage service . Then, once a month, it is responsible for copying the new photos to ensure the corresponding backup. If your computer's disk breaks or becomes infected with viruses , you have the peace of mind of having this material backed up on other media.