MySQL database backup(dump) and restore

   
Backup(aka dump):

   Using mysqldump to copy a database named test to a text file on e:
  
   1. Change to a directory with the mysqldump utility(or set a path)

        cd e:\xampp\mysql\bin
        
   2. Execute the mysqldump program
      to copy the test database to a text file(test.sql):
      
        E:\xampp\mysql\bin> mysqldump -u yourUsername -p test > e:\test.sql
   
   
Restore(to copy a file of sql commands and data into a MySQL database):

   E:\xampp\mysql\bin> mysql -u yourUsername -p test < e:\test.sql   
   

Notes: 
1. This example applies to MySQL that is part of an xampp stack stored on a
   usb and resides on a device lettered e.
2. If restoring to a different copy of xampp, first login as root to create
   a database and grant user privileges (otherwise the database and username
   will be unknown).   
3. Consult a MySQL reference. There are many useful options and variations
   on the way mysqldump is used here.