The importance of making regular backups of your data cannot be over stated. Using the "Save As" command from the File menu brings up a dialogue asking for a new database version. Type in a single character for the new version and press "ok" or return. If the new database already exists you will be asked whether you wish to overwrite it.
Do not always use the same version character for you backups. Instead keep several different backups. Otherwise you may find that both your current database and the backup has problems. It is also wise to run check database to verify data integrity. See section Check Database.
It is also possible to backup databases from outside Gap by using
standard unix commands to copy both the record and index files.
Care should be taken when doing this to ensure that the database is not
being modified whilst copying. See your unix manuals for further details.