Mysql Backup

copy a table to another

CREATE TABLE new_tbl SELECT * FROM orig_tbl;

Full backup of MySql databases:
1. shell> mysqldump --tab=/path/to/some/dir --opt --full
OR
2. shell> mysqlhotcopy database /path/to/some/dir
OR
      3. simply copy all table files (`*.frm', `*.MYD', and `*.MYI' files)

http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mysql/article.php/3421751

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/backup.html