Evening Tony,

> Are there any disadvantages to backup the database by copying the database file?
> Thanks.

Potentially, yes.

Have a look here (HTML)
http://www.firebirdsql.org/manual/gbak-recipies.html and probably more
of interest to your question, here -
http://www.firebirdsql.org/manual/gbak-recipies.html#gbak-recipies-external-tools
where various potential problems and the correct methods are outlined.

Basically, you have to know that your tool has full and unshared access
to the database file(s) in order to make a backup without corrupting things.

And, you already know this, always test your backups by restoring them
"somewhere else" and running a check that all is well.


Cheers,
Norman.

--
Norman Dunbar
Dunbar IT Consultants Ltd

Registered address:
Thorpe House
61 Richardshaw Lane
Pudsey
West Yorkshire
United Kingdom
LS28 7EL

Company Number: 05132767