A full backup involves copying all selected data at a specific point in time. It creates a complete of the entire dataset. Typically performed periodically (e.g., ) to create a baseline backup. Restoring full backups is simple. You need only choose the date of backup that you wish to from and use that file.
An incremental backup captures only the changes made since the last backup, whether it was a full or incremental backup. It saves storage space by not duplicating data. Often performed daily to capture daily without creating a complete copy each time. Restoring from an incremental backup requires the full backup plus all of the individual backups between the last full backup and the day you want to from.
A differential backup captures all changes made since the last backup. Unlike incremental backups, it doesn't rely on the previous differential backups; each differential backup contains all changes since the last full backup. Restoring from a differential backup requires the full backup plus the good backup. If the latest backup is corrupted or otherwise unusable then the previous day's backup can be used.
