how do I backup my database?

[recordshow]

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=73

Forgive the newbie question but in the above article it says to "backup my files and database" before proceeding.... etc....

So I wonder exactly what that means????
Do I just drag my entire store folder from the server to my hard drive?
If not, what specifically do I need to copy?

Thanks.

[Ajeh]

In the Downloads at the Top of your screen ... there is a nice Admin Tool for Backup MySQL that is a handy plug-n-play that you could use for backups ...

Or, you can backup using phpMyAdmin ...

You always want to backup both your database and your site before any kind of significant changes and on a regular basis for safety ...

[recordshow]

Can you please explain the difference between my 'database' and my 'site'?

If I use the backup mySQL plug-in, what exactly am I backing up? my database or my site?

Can you explain a little more about backing up via phpMyadmin? Like I mean where is that? what do I do etc?

Thanks.

[Ajeh]

Your site holds all of the code for Zen Cart that runs your database which holds all the data for all of your products ...

The site you manage with FTP ...

The database you manage with phpMyAdmin ... or something like the Backup MySQL add-on that we created to make backups in the Zen Cart Admin that would be placed in your:
/admin/backups

directory that you can then download via FTP to your computer for safe keeping ... in addition to the copy on your site ...

[recordshow]

I'm still a little confused.
Where exactly do I find something called phpMyAdmin?

Does backupMySQL do everything I need? Do I still need to do more after that?

All I'm trying to do is find out EXACTLY do I need to do.

[Merlinpa1969]

Record,
just run the mysqlbackup from within the zen cart admin,
thats a tool to make a database backup

[recordshow]

Thank you guys I'll try that.

[stefanmartensson78]

[quote=Ajeh;313961]The database you manage with phpMyAdmin ... or something like the Backup MySQL add-on that we created to make backups in the Zen Cart Admin that would be placed in your:
/admin/backups

quote]

Hey, I am kind of in the same position as the my fellow newbie that started this thred, I have looked in all menus without finding anything resembling "backup", "SQL" in the Admin part of the ZC.

Please have patience with us newbies and explain like I am 4yo ;))

Cheers, Stefan

[Ajeh]

Backup MySQL is in the Downloads ... Admin Tools ...

The link at the top of your screen will lead you there ...

This is a plug-n-play module and will appear on your menu in the Admin for Tools ... Backup MySQL ...

[MLT]

[quote=Ajeh;313946]In the Downloads at the Top of your screen ... there is a nice Admin Tool for Backup MySQL that is a handy plug-n-play that you could use for backups ...

What do you mean by "plug-n-play"? I downloaded the Backup SQL and received a compressed folder. I extracted the files and there were folders there. Where do the files need to be transferred or kept? Do I put them on my FTP?