How is a differential backup characterized?

A differential backup is characterized by including all changes made since the last full backup. This means that every time a differential backup is performed, it captures all the data that has been modified or added since the most recent full backup. This approach allows for quicker recovery than a full backup, since only the last full backup and the differential backup need to be restored.

In practical terms, if you have a full backup on one day, the differential backup taken the next day will include all the data changes since that full backup. If you take another differential backup the day after, it will again include all changes since the last full backup, not just those made since the previous differential backup. This accumulation can lead to larger backup sizes over time as more changes are captured with each differential backup performed.

Understanding this process highlights the importance of regular full backups in conjunction with differential backups, as each differential backup depends on the last full backup, ensuring data integrity and streamlined restoration processes.