A production database can change every minute on stores, forums, membership sites, booking systems, and forms.
Before restoring an older database:
- Record the backup date.
- Export the current database if it is still readable.
- Identify transactions or content created since the backup.
- Confirm the backup belongs to the correct application.
- Plan how newer data will be preserved or re-entered.
Restoring an older database is a replacement operation, not a merge of old and new data.
