>> A "backed up database" is not a database. You _have_ to
>> restore it to make it into a database.

> I knew this. Maybe I shouldn't have used the word backup
> when explaining my situation. I am essentially wanting to
> copy a database, delete some records and then create a
> backup of it. I was wondering whether I could do this
> while there was an active connection to said database?

See: http://www.telesiscomputing.com.au/dbk.htm

DBak has a "Rebuild" option that creates a functional copy
of a database with no intermediate steps. The backup/rebuild
operation takes place in a single snapshot transaction so it
is safe to perform the operation while people are using the
original database.

DBak also has a filter option that can be used to prevent
certain tables from transfering. I use this to stop audit
log tables from transferring to the backup.

Delphi/IBO source code available.

--
Geoff Worboys
Telesis Computing