Backing Up the Database (Newbie Question)

I have a Database on a MS-SQL Server wich was at the beginning 55 MB (size).
Every time I Backup the database the size increases (50 mb each time) !!!
Now it is over 700 MB of size and I can not store it in a CD !!!
Somebody told me that the size wich is increasing is that of the LOG FILE...
What is this exactly and how can I empty it ?

Any solutions appreciated....
Thanks in advance

massiveTDM850@.hotmail.com
gkarm@.softhome.netGeorge (gkarm@.softhome.net) writes:
> I have a Database on a MS-SQL Server wich was at the beginning 55 MB
> (size). Every time I Backup the database the size increases (50 mb each
> time) !!! Now it is over 700 MB of size and I can not store it in a CD
> !!! Somebody told me that the size wich is increasing is that of the LOG
> FILE... What is this exactly and how can I empty it ?

First you need to decide whether you want up-to-the-point recovery or not.
If you are content with restoring from the last backup in case of a crash,
and thus lose work since the last backup, set the recovery mode for the
database to simple. SQL Server will then truncate the transaction log every
now and then.

If you want up-to-the-point recovery, you should run with full recovery
(or bulk-logged), and make a habit to also backup the transaction log
regularly.

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@.sommarskog.se

Books Online for SQL Server SP3 at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techin.../2000/books.asp