Backup history file removed from dbbackup.exe in SQLA17?

[former_SQLA_member1694883]

The documentation refers to the backup history file backup.syb (here and here) that is supposed to be created by default when a backup is run using either BACKUP DATABASE DIRECTORY or dbbackup.exe. Thanks to John for pointing out the location when using the BACKUP DATABASE DIRECTORY statement, as I originally thought it had been removed completely due to not being able to find the file. However, this file does not appear to be created by dbbackup.exe by default and adding either the -h or -bc switches to try and force it to create it causes a syntax error. Have these options been removed and the documentation just not updated to reflect this, or am I missing something?

[former_SQLA_member1694883 · Accepted solution]

Thank you John. Adding the -s switch enables the backup history file and allows the -h and -bc switches to be recognised and function as expected.

[johnsmirnios]

What version did you last see the backup.syb file and on which OS? Its location moved quite some time ago (when version 9 was still active_ -- maybe it is in a different location now?

Description:

After performing a database backup, a warning message of the form "Unable to open backup log '...'" could be sent to the client and console. Note that this warning comes as a "message" to the client, not as a warning sqlcode from the backup statement. The problem is far more likely to occur on Vista or later when running as a non-elevated process because the server typically tried to write the log into the SQL Anywhere installation directory which is not typically writable by non-elevated processes.

In 9.0.2, 10.0.1, 11.0.0 and 11.0.1, this problem is fixed by properly detecting which of the possible directories for placement of backup.syb are writable and by adding the %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\SQL Anywhere XX (XX=version number) directory to the list of possible directories.

On Vista and later, the %ALLUSERSPROFILE% directory is typically C:\\ProgramData. On earlier versions of Windows, it is typically C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Application Data.

[former_SQLA_member1694883]

Last saw it in version 7. Thanks, I have located the file in %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\SQL Anywhere 17. I was expecting it to be in the Bin32 folder with the server running the database. However, it is only created or added to when using the DATABASE BACKUP DIRECTORY statement. Both -h and -bc switches for dbbackup.exe cause a syntax error.

[johnsmirnios]

You will get a Usage message if you specify -h or -bc when doing a client-side backup. Backup.syb is only written for server-side backups.