MySQL Database Backup

[medicalforums]

I've seen several mods and hacks and websites talking about the best way of backing up the MySQL database.

I host with hostgator and in their cPanel there's something called "backups" which includes a backup of MySQL database.
Am using this to download a database copy to my local drive every now and then.
Am not sure how reliable is that because I haven't restore the database "thanks God" so far.

Do you think that method is OK?

Anyone is using it or tried to restore the database in this way?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

A lot will probably disagree, but i find the cPanel backups usefull.