Is there a way to test the exported backup file?

[Winnie Hsu]

Hi,

I m using JIRA service, i have created backup xml from JIRA and would like to make sure that file is what i expect and is in good state, may i know if there is a way that i can create a test instance and import the backup file so that the import does not override the data?

Regards,

Winnie

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

You have answered your own question - "create a test instance and import the backup file"

The import will overwrite all the data in the test instance, but that's the whole point of a backup, it's supposed to recreate the system you backed up.  You can download and install a standalone JIRA instance with which to test this though - do the import on an empty JIRA which you then discard because it's just a backup test.

[Winnie Hsu]

I suppose if i need to install a test instance i will need a database which i do not, is there any alternative ? 

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Yes, but the JIRA downloads come with an internal file/memory based database.  It's no good for production (it will fail, catastrophically, at some point after a while of use), but good enough to run an import to test.

Ideally, you should use the same database as the system you're trying to test, but a test that you can restore exported xml into any database is mostly good enough to prove the xml file is valid.