What differentiates a full backup from an incremental backup?

A full backup is designed to capture all data on a system at a specific point in time, creating a comprehensive copy that includes every file, application, and system state. This is critical for data recovery, as it provides a complete dataset to restore from in case of data loss or system failure.

In contrast, an incremental backup only saves the changes made since the last backup, whether that be a full backup or another incremental one. This means it captures only the files that have been newly created or modified, making it faster and using less storage space compared to a full backup.

Understanding this difference is essential for effective backup strategies, as full backups are typically done less frequently due to the time and storage required, while incremental backups can occur regularly to ensure that only the latest changes are preserved. This process allows for a balance between resource management and data security, providing flexibility in how organizations approach data protection.