New Backup/Restore Statement in MySQL 6.0

Finally, what I've been waiting for long time is currently in progress !
New backup and restore syntax is available in MySQL begin from version 6.0.5. (it's still in alpha state at the time I write this post)

This syntax is use just like ordinary DDL/DML SQL syntax, so you wouldn't need to run external application eg. mysqldump anymore. The best of it, is the backup process won't block any client accesses, or vice versa. They can now work concurrently, except for the DDL syntax.

The syntax is so simple:

BACKUP DATABASE [DATABASE] TO [PATH];
RESTORE FROM [PATH];

For example, to backup,

BACKUP DATABASE mycompanydatase TO '/home/staff/backup/backupfile.dat';

to restore,

RESTORE FROM '/home/staff/backup/backupfile.dat';

For more information about new BACKUP/RESTORE syntax in MySQL 6.0, see the documentation.
BACKUP/RESTORE using MySQL < 6.0 still need external tools. See my tutorial about Backup MySQL Data Using Java.