Which of the following statements about incremental backup are true? Each correct answer represents a complete solution. Choose two.

Question

Options

• AIt is the fastest method of backing up data.
• BIt is the slowest method for taking a data backup.
• CIt backs up the entire database, including the transaction log.
• DIt backs up only the files changed since the most recent backup and clears the archive bit.

• A
  94% (16)
• C
  6% (1)

Explanation

Incremental backup is the fastest backup method because it only captures data that changed since the last backup (full or incremental), meaning far less data is written each time - making A correct. It also clears the archive bit on each backed-up file to signal "already captured," so the next incremental knows what's new - making D correct.

Why B is wrong: Slowest-to-create is actually the full backup, which copies everything. Incremental is the opposite extreme - fastest to create, but slowest to restore (you need the full backup plus every incremental in sequence). This restore-speed confusion is a classic trap.

Why C is wrong: Backing up the entire database including the transaction log describes a full backup, not an incremental. Incremental is explicitly scoped to changed files only.

Memory tip: Think "Incremental = In-between changes only." The archive bit acts like a "stamp" - incremental stamps each file after copying it, so nothing gets backed up twice. Contrast with Differential, which reads but never clears the stamp (always measures from the last full), making it slower to back up but faster to restore than incremental.

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