> hello there. i am programmatically backing up a firebird
> database before performing an application/metadata update.
>
> what is the best way for me to test that the backup is OK and
> not corrupted etc.? i assumed it was to do a test restore.
> however somebody said this might not be necessary, and would
> take a long time for large databases. however, it's important
> i know that i have got a restorable backup before meddling
> with the metadata.
>
> any advice much appreciated. thanks.

Restore is the only way to PROVE no corruption.
Yes - it will take along time to restore on large databases.
I always test metadata changes on me dev database. There is very little
(read no) chance that such a test will pass on the dev DB and cause
corruption on the production DB.
Alan