# Is pg\_dump a Backup Tool?

DevFeed: [Is pg\_dump a Backup Tool?](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/is-pg-dump-a-backup-tool-33615.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://rhaas.blogspot.com/2024/10/is-pgdump-backup-tool.html>)

Author: Robert Haas (noreply@blogger.com)

Published: 2024-10-15T20:03:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Robert Haas](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/robert-haas.md>)

Topics: [PostgreSQL](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/postgresql.md>), [Databases](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/databases.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/configuration.md>)

Tags: [backup](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backup.md>), [backups](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backups.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/configuration.md>), [database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/database.md>), [pg-dump](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pg-dump.md>), [pg-dumpall](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pg-dumpall.md>), [postgresql](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/postgresql.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues that pg_dump and pg_dumpall can function as backup tools because they can save database data and restore it later. It also explains that this approach may be unsuitable for large databases due to slow backups and restores, possible database bloat, version-related restore errors, and the need to separately preserve globals and configuration files.

## Source excerpt

Recently, I've been hearing a lot of experienced PostgreSQL users reiterate this line: "pg_dump is not a backup tool." In fact, the documentation has recently been updated to avoid saying that it is a backup tool, to widespread relief. Experienced PostgreSQL users and developers have been publicly called out for having the temerity to assert that pg_dump is, in fact, a backup tool. I find this narrative deeply frustrating, for two reasons.Read more "