Question

We have a system that has a Mysql database with about 2Gigs of data.

The PC application that talks to the database has just been updated.

There are a number of tables whose structure have changed and we need to run a conversion script.

The system is only used in office hours

Question:

What is the best approach to doing this upgrade?

Answer 1

1. Wait until no one is using the system (since that’s an option for you, I would plan to do it after hours).
2. Backup the database.
3. Check your backup to make sure it worked.
4. Double check you backup.
5. Run the update script.
6. Make sure your daily backup job still does what is needed (not usually an issue, but worth the energy to check).