C# – Creating SQL Server backup file (.bak) with c# to any location

backupc++permissionssql-server

I'm trying to write simple application in C# which will allow me to backup, zip and send over ftp my SQL Server database.
One problem I have encountered is that I'm not able to create the backup file (.bak) if I try to do it in different location than "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.3\MSSQL\Backup" or "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.3\MSSQL\Data" folder. I understand that this is a premission problem. Could someone point me to the resources or write here a short snippet how to programmatically add such a permission to any folder on my system.

Regards
Kris

Best Solution

i assume you are running your programm as a scheduled task ... did you give writing permissions to the target folder for the executing user of the task??

edit:
with permissions you can have 2 scenarios:

windows authenification
mixed authentification

if you are using windows authentification, the read and write permissions of the windows user are taken. otherwise the permissions for the sql server service account.

and this behaviour makes sense to me and maybe hits the nail in your scenario!

edit 2:
i don't want to encourage you to do so ... some admins may hate you when you mess up their acl's but this may do the trick

btw: Magnus Johansson already gave you a "try-this" link

no matter for which method you go - be sure to hand in the correct user (as descriped above!)

(for full history)
...
side-note:
i know this is not the exact answer to your question, but i would recommend you smo to generate backups ...

using Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo;

var bdi = new BackupDeviceItem(/* your path inlcuding desired file */);
var backup = new Backup
{
    Database = /* name of the database */,
    Initialize = true
};

backup.Devices.Add(bdi);

var server = new Server(this.SqlServer);

try
{
    backup.SqlBackup(server);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // * log or sth
}

you only have to care for the .dll's. take assemblies for the desired server version (some params/properties vary through different server versions)
more info here

Syntax:

ALTER TABLE {TABLENAME} 
ADD {COLUMNNAME} {TYPE} {NULL|NOT NULL} 
CONSTRAINT {CONSTRAINT_NAME} DEFAULT {DEFAULT_VALUE}
WITH VALUES

Example:

ALTER TABLE SomeTable
        ADD SomeCol Bit NULL --Or NOT NULL.
 CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol --When Omitted a Default-Constraint Name is autogenerated.
    DEFAULT (0)--Optional Default-Constraint.
WITH VALUES --Add if Column is Nullable and you want the Default Value for Existing Records.

Notes:

Optional Constraint Name:
If you leave out CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol then SQL Server will autogenerate
a Default-Contraint with a funny Name like: DF__SomeTa__SomeC__4FB7FEF6

Optional With-Values Statement:
The WITH VALUES is only needed when your Column is Nullable
and you want the Default Value used for Existing Records.
If your Column is NOT NULL, then it will automatically use the Default Value
for all Existing Records, whether you specify WITH VALUES or not.

How Inserts work with a Default-Constraint:
If you insert a Record into SomeTable and do not Specify SomeCol's value, then it will Default to 0.
If you insert a Record and Specify SomeCol's value as NULL (and your column allows nulls),
then the Default-Constraint will not be used and NULL will be inserted as the Value.

Notes were based on everyone's great feedback below.
Special Thanks to:
@Yatrix, @WalterStabosz, @YahooSerious, and @StackMan for their Comments.

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, @your_date))

for example

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, GETDATE()))

gives me

2008-09-22 00:00:00.000

Pros:

No varchar<->datetime conversions required
No need to think about locale

Best Solution

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Sql – Add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server

Syntax:

Example:

Notes:

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

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