Backup is the process of creating a copy of data to protect against loss or corruption, like taking a snapshot of your code before pushing it to production and watching everything explode. It's the digital equivalent of wearing a helmet while riding a unicycle and juggling chainsaws - you hope you don't need it, but you're glad it's there when things go sideways.

How to use it in a sentence

• "I always create a backup before deploying my code, just in case I accidentally introduce a bug that takes down half the internet like that one time at Facebook."

• "You know what they say: 'In God we trust, all others must make backups.' I learned that the hard way when my hard drive decided to go on permanent vacation, taking all my brilliant code with it."

If you actually want to learn more...

• The Ultimate Guide to Data Backup for Developers: This article dives into the nitty-gritty of data backup strategies for developers, covering everything from local backups to cloud storage and version control systems.

• Why Every Developer Should Have a Backup Plan: A cautionary tale about the importance of backups and how they can save your bacon when things go wrong, complete with real-life horror stories from developers who learned the hard way.

• Backup Best Practices for Developers: How to Protect Your Code: Atlassian shares their top tips for implementing a robust backup strategy to safeguard your precious code, because even the big players know that stuff happens.

Note: the Developer Dictionary is in Beta. Please direct feedback to skye@statsig.com.