Backing up mysql dbs

[pballz]

I'm looking at methods to automate backing up a db. So instead of playing around and most likely getting frustrated when stuff doesn't work I'm gonna ask for advice first.

I found this as one method of backing up a db.

<?php
            include 'config.php';
            include 'opendb.php';
            $backupFile = $dbname . date("Y-m-d-H-i-s") . '.gz';
            $command = "mysqldump --opt -h $dbhost -u $dbuser -p $dbpass $dbname | gzip > $backupFile";
            system($command);
            include 'closedb.php';
?>

But I've read sometimes the mysqldump command is turned off so I was wondering if anyone could tell if this would work. Also any other methods of backing up a db would be greatly appreciated.

[calistoy]

Go to phpMyAdmin and use the export function to export a backup copy of your database.

[pballz]

I said I want to automate backing it up. Going to phpmyadmin isn't that automated. Do people read and try to understand before replying?

[stpvoice]

I said I want to automate backing it up. Going to phpmyadmin isn't that automated. Do people read and try to understand before replying?

Please don't be rude, or you won't get any help.

There's also phpMyBackupPro, which is automated I believe. We have a wiki article about it here: http://x10hosting.com/wiki/PhpMyBackupPro

[pballz]

Well just in case anyone ever finds this wondering the same thing. That code in the first post won't work since system() is blocked. But I did find a nice pure php script that saves a whole db to an sql file. I also made in addition a script to zip my whole site then ftp the sql backup and zipped backup. It also does email notifications.

If anyone is interested I'll share.