MySqlBackup.NET 2.6.0

MySqlBackup.NET

A versatile tool for backing up and restoring MySQL databases in C#, VB.NET, and ASP.NET.

Latest Release: v2.6 (July 04, 2025)
Change Log

Overview

MySqlBackup.NET is a .NET library (DLL) designed to backup and restore MySQL databases. Compatible with multiple MySQL connectors—MySql.Data.DLL, MySqlConnector.DLL, and Devart.Express.MySql.DLL—it offers a programmatic alternative to tools like MySqlDump, providing greater control and flexibility in .NET environments.

Developed in C#, this library supports any .NET language (e.g., VB.NET, F#) and excels in scenarios where MySqlDump.exe or MySQL Workbench are impractical, such as web-based applications (ASP.NET) or end-user tools with simplified interfaces.

Key Features

• Backup and restore MySQL databases programmatically.
• Supports all .NET languages.
• Export/import via files or MemoryStream.
• Conditional row exports (filter tables/rows).
• Progress reporting for export and import tasks.
• Flexible row export modes: INSERT, INSERT IGNORE, REPLACE, ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE, UPDATE.
• Ideal for ASP.NET and web service integration.

Getting Started

Installation

Download

Grab the latest release from: GitHub Releases

NuGet Packages

Install via NuGet Package Manager:

• MySqlConnector:
  PM> Install-Package MySqlBackup.NET.MySqlConnector
  https://www.nuget.org/packages/MySqlBackup.NET.MysqlConnector/

• MySql.Data Connector:
  PM> Install-Package MySqlBackup.NET
  https://www.nuget.org/packages/MySqlBackup.NET/

• Devart Express Connector:
  PM> Install-Package MySqlBackup.Net.DevartExpress
  https://www.nuget.org/packages/MySqlBackup.Net.DevartExpress/

Add to Your Project

See the detailed guide:
How to Add This Library into Your Project

Basic Usage

Backup a Database

string constr = "server=localhost;user=root;pwd=1234;database=test1;convertzerodatetime=true;";
string filePath = @"C:\backup.sql";

using (var conn = new MySqlConnection(constr))
using (var cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
using (var mb = new MySqlBackup(cmd))
{
    conn.Open();
    mb.ExportToFile(filePath);
}

Restore a Database

string constr = "server=localhost;user=root;pwd=1234;database=test1;convertzerodatetime=true;";
string filePath = @"C:\backup.sql";

using (var conn = new MySqlConnection(constr))
using (var cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
using (var mb = new MySqlBackup(cmd))
{
    conn.Open();
    mb.ImportFromFile(filePath);
}

Why MySqlBackup.NET?

Unlike MySQL Workbench (developer-focused) or MySqlDump.exe (restricted in web environments), MySqlBackup.NET offers:

• End-User Simplicity: Preset parameters for a one-click backup experience.
• Web Compatibility: Runs seamlessly in ASP.NET, bypassing hosting restrictions on executables.
• Programmatic Control: Fine-tuned output handling within .NET.

Dependencies

MySqlBackup.NET requires one of these MySQL connectors:

Configuration Tips

Unicode Support

For databases with UTF-8 or Unicode characters (e.g., À, Ñ, Cyrillic, Chinese), use:

server=localhost;user=root;pwd=qwerty;charset=utf8;

Or, for broader support:

server=localhost;user=root;pwd=qwerty;charset=utf8mb4;

DateTime Handling (MySql.Data Only)

To avoid conversion errors with null or date-only values, add:

server=localhost;user=root;pwd=qwerty;charset=utf8;convertzerodatetime=true;

Performance Benchmark

Compare MySqlBackup.NET to MySqlDump for a 3.5GB database (15M rows):

Full details: Performance Benchmark Wiki

Additional Tools

Backup All Databases
Export all databases to separate SQL files with this sub-project:
MySqlBackup_All_DB

License

MySqlBackup.NET is released under The Unlicense, making it free for any use.

Conclusion

MySqlBackup.NET empowers developers and end-users alike with a robust, .NET-native solution for MySQL database management. Whether for desktop apps, web services, or automated backups, it’s a versatile addition to your toolkit.

Explore more on GitHub!