Differential Backup
Differential backup is a data backup strategy that captures all changes made since the last full backup, without referencing previous differential backups. It creates a backup of files that have been added or modified since the last full backup, making it more efficient than incremental backups in terms of restoration time. This method is commonly used in database management, file systems, and enterprise IT environments to balance storage usage and recovery speed.
Developers should learn differential backup when working with systems requiring regular data protection and faster restoration compared to incremental backups, such as in database administration, server management, or application deployment pipelines. It is particularly useful in scenarios where data changes frequently but full backups are too resource-intensive, like in e-commerce platforms or content management systems. This skill helps ensure data integrity and reduces downtime during recovery operations.