Databases · Senior · Question 48 of 75

Why are logical dumps (`pg_dump`) alone not enough as a backup strategy for a large, busy database?

1pg_dump can only run on empty databases
✓Correct answer: They're slow to take and restore and only capture one moment; physical backups with WAL archiving allow fast restores and PITR
3pg_dump doesn't include data

Explanation

Dumps are still useful for moving single databases or schemas. Tools like pgBackRest or managed snapshots handle physical backups.

Further reading

PostgreSQL: Backup and restore (PITR) ↗

Test yourself

Take the Databases · Senior quiz: questions and options are shuffled, and you get a review of your mistakes at the end.