I'm wondering if it's standard practice for a production database to operate without any backups. I just accidentally dropped a table, and now my boss is expecting me to "just undo it." Could anyone help me understand the normal protocols around this situation and whether I should be worried?
4 Answers
In practice, production databases without backups are just asking for trouble. Given the stakes, ideally, you'd have snapshots and a disaster recovery plan. If there’s a cloud provider involved, they often have backups set up by default, so double-check that before you panic!
Listen, if you dropped a table, there’s usually no way to bring it back unless you have backups. You should also look into whether your database provider offers point-in-time recovery options. No backups means fragility—it's critical to have that safety net.
You’re right! I didn't even think about point-in-time recovery; I’ll check that out.
No way is it normal for a production database to be without backups—it's like playing with fire! A reputable setup should have regular backups, often multiple times a day. If your boss is asking you to undo a drop, let him know that's what backups are for and maybe propose a daily backup schedule to prevent this in the future.
Totally agree! I hope our setup gets more robust because having no backups is just risky.
Absolutely, every production database should have a solid backup plan in place! It's crucial for recovery in situations like yours, where you accidentally drop a table. Most systems don’t have a simple 'undo' for such actions, so relying on backups is a must. You can start making a case for implementing a backup strategy right now!
Exactly! If they don’t have backups, getting that sorted should be your priority. It’s just common sense.

Phew, I hope we do have something like that. Thanks for the reassurance!