Incremental backup
Also called: incr backup, incremental
An incremental backup copies only the files changed since the last backup of any type, full, differential, or another incremental. It is the smallest and fastest backup to take, but restoring requires the full backup plus every incremental in the chain, applied in order.
What this means
Captures only what's changed since the last backup of any kind, full, differential, or another incremental. That makes each one tiny and fast to take, but restoring needs the full backup plus every incremental in the chain, applied in order. Small backups, longer restore.
Why it matters operationally
Incrementals minimize backup time and storage, ideal for frequent (hourly) backups. The trade-off is restore complexity and fragility: a single missing or corrupt link breaks the chain, so retention and verification matter.