ExpressionEngine->What tables to backup?

Question

We have a deployment process where we are required to create a “rollback” point before a release is committed to our live server.

We have a staging server where all release candidate code is tested. Now this staging server also includes all the channel data, content, etc that is modified before a release. These two tables are identical copies with the exception of one of our global variables {site_url_https}

We will create a mysqldump of the production server’s DB before the release to create the rollback point. We will then create a mysqldump of the staging server’s DB and apply it to the production server’s DB to complete the release.

What tables would I need to backup in order to provide a rollback point before a release is applied? This should include all changes to content, channel data, categories, custom fields, etc. What tables would I need to “copy” from the staging to the production server?

I have a script to create the SQL backup file and will post it after testing.

Also, is there a function that I can call from a script that will synchronize the templates table with the template files?

Answer 1

Some of these might be moot if you're not using certain features (like comments, entry versioning, etc).

To backup all content, categories and comments:

• exp_category_posts
• exp_channel_data
• exp_channel_entries_autosave
• exp_channel_titles
• exp_comments
• exp_relationships
• exp_revision_tracker

To backup field/channel/category structure and settings:

• exp_categories
• exp_category_field_data
• exp_category_fields
• exp_category_groups
• exp_channel_fields
• exp_channel_member_groups
• exp_channels
• exp_entry_ping_status
• exp_entry_versioning
• exp_field_formatting
• exp_field_groups
• exp_fieldtypes
• exp_file_categories
• exp_file_dimensions
• exp_file_watermarks
• exp_files
• exp_layout_publish
• exp_status_groups
• exp_status_no_access
• exp_statuses
• exp_upload_no_access
• exp_upload_prefs

To backup templates and related:

• exp_global_variables
• exp_snippets
• exp_specialty_templates
• exp_template_groups
• exp_template_member_groups
• exp_template_no_access
• exp_templates

To backup member-related data:

• exp_member_bulletin_board
• exp_member_data
• exp_member_fields
• exp_member_groups
• exp_member_homepage
• exp_member_search
• exp_members
• exp_module_member_groups

To backup installation of new modules, extensions, changed site settings more generally:

• exp_accessories
• exp_actions
• exp_extensions
• exp_html_buttons
• exp_modules

If you're using MSM:

• exp_sites