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patternsqlMinor

Why can a differential backup not be copy-only?

Submitted by: @import:stackexchange-dba··
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whycancopydifferentialnotonlybackup

Problem

I have noticed that copy only backups does not allow for differential backups.
What is the reason the copy-only backup option is disabled for differential backups?

Solution

It can be specified in TSQL but the documentation states


COPY_ONLY has no effect when specified with the DIFFERENTIAL option.

There's no need for copy only differential backups because you can just take a normal differential backup.

Taking a differential backup doesn't break anything as each such backup is cumulative and contains all changes since the last full backup.

If you were to take a full backup without copy_only that would potentially be problematic as it resets the differential base (clears the bitmaps containing information about which extents have changed).

Context

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#137077, answer score: 7

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