<function>pg_start_backup</> creates a <firstterm>backup label</> file,

called <filename>backup_label</>, in the cluster directory with

information about your backup, including the start time and label

string.

string. The file is critical to the integrity of the backup, should

you need to restore from it.

</para>

<para>

The backup label file includes the label string you gave to

<function>pg_start_backup</>, as well as the time at which

<function>pg_start_backup</> was run, and the name of the starting WAL

file. In case of confusion it is

therefore possible to look inside a backup dump file and determine

exactly which backup session the dump file came from.

file. In case of confusion it is therefore possible to look inside a

backup dump file and determine exactly which backup session the dump file

came from. However, this file is not merely for your information; its

presence and contents are critical to the proper operation of the system's

recovery process.

</para>

<para>