dab

dab [options] [backup_name]

-c
    Specifies the configuration file to use. Defaults to dab.conf.

-h
    Displays help message.

backup_name
    An optional name to assign to the backup archive.

dab is a simple, bash-based backup script designed for straightforward, no-frills backups, primarily targeting single-user systems or small-scale server setups. It emphasizes ease of use and configuration over advanced features. It's often used to create compressed archives of specific directories or files, allowing for quick restoration if needed.
It doesn't handle incremental backups, complex scheduling or fancy features such as cloud storage. It can be useful for beginners. Because it is written in bash, dab offers transparency. One can read the script and adapt to their needs.
dab uses standard linux utilities like tar, gzip, and cron.

dab is not intended for large-scale or enterprise-level backups. It lacks advanced features like incremental backups, encryption (unless configured separately), and robust error handling. Reliance on standard tools means errors are visible. Its simplicity also means it lacks features found in more sophisticated backup solutions. Always test restore procedures to ensure backups are valid.

The dab.conf file typically contains variables defining the source directories/files to backup, the destination directory for backups, the backup naming scheme, and other relevant settings. It's often a simple key-value pair format, allowing users to easily customize the script's behavior without directly modifying the script itself.

An example dab.conf file:
SOURCE="/home/user/documents /var/www/html"
DEST="/mnt/backup"
NAME="my_backup"

dab's origins are generally attributed to individual system administrators or hobbyists creating custom backup solutions in bash. It is not an official system utility but a script that may exist on a system. Its popularity stems from the need for easily understandable and modifiable backup scripts, especially in environments where complex backup software is deemed overkill.

tar(1), gzip(1), cron(8), cp(1), rsync(1)